DanMachi: Heroic Epic of Emiya the Great Hero

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"There's no need to rush.",Shirou said as he flipped through the wand encyclopedia,"Lefiya didn't set a deadline, and it doesn't necessarily have to be a wand."

Shirou's initial plan was to wait until he reached Lv.2 and obtained the development ability [Blacksmith] before officially accepting equipment orders. As a Lv.1, his forged works weren't yet qualified to bear the emblem of the Hephaestus Familia.

However, since Lefiya was likely to be his first customer, Shirou wanted to familiarize himself with some wand-related information in advance.

"Once my level and forging skills improve a bit more, I could craft her a piece of equipment like 'gauntlets' or 'combat boots,'" he thought.

Personally, Shirou still preferred forging "weapons," especially "swords."

"Why not just make her a melee weapon directly?",Tsubaki suggested,"Forge a sword, something you're best at."

Shirou was puzzled. "But Lefiya is a mage, isn't she?"

"She's Lv.2, right? After a level-up, even a mage's physical strength surpasses that of an average Lv.1 adventurer.",Tsubaki explained,"Besides, high-level mages usually have some melee combat ability. That's common knowledge."

"Riveria from Loki Familia is skilled in staff combat and martial arts, and Hedin from Freya Familia is a master swordsman. Even without using magic, they can overpower warriors below first-class adventurers with their physical skills."

Shirou nodded, suddenly understanding,"I see."

Leveling up provides adventurers with comprehensive enhancements. For example, even if Riveria only gained G-rank (200-299) strength each time she leveled up, her high level would still make her strength terrifyingly powerful.

Moreover, to handle situations where magic isn't suitable, mages deliberately hone their melee combat skills, at least to the point of being able to defend themselves.

As for Lefiya panicking when monsters closed in on her, it was mainly because she was still too inexperienced.

"Understood. If that's the case, I know what to do now.",Shirou finalized a plan in his mind,"By the way, Tsubaki, how's the progress on your magic sword?"

"It's almost done. I have a feeling this will be an unprecedented achievement, all thanks to your help, Shirou.",Tsubaki said, her lips and eyes curving into a bright smile,"To think of such a structure—it's truly remarkable."

"Ah, well…",Shirou scratched his head.

In truth, he had copied a weapon he'd seen before, but he couldn't just say that outright.

When he and Tsubaki had been studying weapon blueprints together, he hadn't paid much attention, but somehow, the magic sword design ended up resembling— [Caladbolg], also known as the Rainbow Sword, a magic sword wielded by the Irish hero Fergus Mac Roich from Celtic mythology.

Legend has it that this sword was forged by the elves of the divine realm and imbued with the power of heavenly thunder.

Known as an anti-army Noble Phantasm with high destructive power and wide-range capabilities, its sword beam in myth was said to have "sliced off three hills," showcasing its terrifying might.

The Heroic Spirit EMIYA had once projected [Caladbolg] and modified it into an arrow, so he had deeply analyzed its structure.

The final blueprint Shirou and Tsubaki settled on was based on EMIYA's modified version of [Caladbolg], which could be used as an arrow, and then further adapted into a magic sword.

If Shirou's projected version was called [Fake·Caladbolg], then Tsubaki's magic sword should be…[Fake·Fake·Caladbolg]?

"By the way, the forging of the magic sword is in its final stages, and I'd like you to participate, Shirou.",Tsubaki said, placing her hands on Shirou's shoulders with a serious expression.

"Why? I don't have the [Blacksmith] development ability.",Shirou asked.

Magic swords are weapons that can only be forged by those with the [Blacksmith] development ability. As one of the highest-level blacksmiths in the city, Tsubaki is one of the rare few capable of forging magic swords. Shirou, being only Lv.1, naturally doesn't possess [Blacksmith].

"Your participation will elevate the quality of this magic sword to an even greater height. This is my intuition as a blacksmith.",Tsubaki said firmly,"It's also the goddess's prophecy."

Both Tsubaki and Hephaestus believe that this boy, who has an inseparable bond with [Swords], will surely create another miracle.

"In that case, Tsubaki-senpai, I'll do my best to assist you.",Shirou replied.

"Long live Shirou!",Tsubaki hugged Shirou, cheering joyfully.

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"It's done!"

Tsubaki raised her right hand high, cheering as she held a uniquely designed longsword in her hand. The cold gleam of the blade reflected the light of the still-burning furnace.

"Oh!!!!!",The surrounding blacksmiths erupted in cheers, their deafening shouts threatening to lift the roof off the workshop.

Shirou was also swept up in the fervent atmosphere. The sweltering workshop was filled with everyone's enthusiasm, the air almost burning with excitement, and the boy couldn't help but feel a surge of passion in his heart.

Although he had tried forging swords a few times before, until now, his creations had been nothing more than practice pieces—mass-produced items. He had yet to attempt crafting a named sword that bore his own mark.

Shirou's original motivation for becoming an adventurer was to avoid the helplessness of being unable to protect those he loved. He wanted to gain the power to safeguard the people around him. Seeing Tsubaki successfully complete the forging of [Magic Sword·Caladbolg], he felt genuinely exhilarated.

Even if it was a copy of a copy, as long as it could replicate even a fraction of the original Noble Phantasm's[1] power, its significance would be groundbreaking.

Moreover, there's no rule that says a copy can't surpass the original.

"Without a doubt, this is a magic sword that surpasses all previous ones," Tsubaki declared,"More importantly, this is an achievement forged purely by human hands, independent of the bloodline and power of spirits. So let's celebrate!"

"Ooooh!!!!",The craftsmen cheered fervently once more.

The creation of [Magic Sword·Caladbolg] utilized the special magic of Shirou's [Unlimited Blade Works]. Of course, Tsubaki was the true blacksmith who completed the forging. This magic sword was inscribed with her heart, soul, and lifelong experience.

Although Shirou only participated in the final stages of forging, merely striking a single hammer blow, he now felt an indescribable sensation. It seemed as though he had gained a deeper understanding of the Noble Phantasm [Caladbolg].

At the same time, as he gazed at the magic sword in Tsubaki's hands, brimming with terrifying power, Shirou couldn't help but wonder,'Just how powerful is this magic sword?'

The original Noble Phantasm [Caladbolg], in the hands of the great hero Fergus Mac Roich, could unleash enough power to pierce mountains and tear apart the earth.

The [Fake·Caladbolg (Caladbolg II)] projected by the Heroic Spirit EMIYA also possessed the power to pierce space and destroy buildings.

What about this [Magic Sword·Caladbolg], or [Fake·Fake·Caladbolg (Caladbolg III)], forged by Tsubaki? What level of power could it achieve?

However, while Shirou was merely curious, Tsubaki's words were enough to make everyone break out in a cold sweat,"I really want to test the power of this magic sword."

The moment these words were spoken, the previously heated atmosphere instantly cooled. Despite the sweltering heat of the forge, a chill reminiscent of winter swept through the room.

"Calm down! Calm down, Captain!"

"That's not an ordinary magic sword. At least… at least let us run fifty meters away first…"

Everyone panicked, rushing to stop the eager Tsubaki.

"Just kidding.",Tsubaki laughed,"Though I'd love to see its power, there's no way I'd use a magic sword inside the workshop. You guys really have no sense of humor."

'No, the fact that everyone instinctively thought you weren't joking is something you should reflect on yourself.'

"Besides, I'm counting on this magic sword to bring in a huge profit. It's a shame I can't test it myself, but I'll have to save its precious usage count.",Tsubaki said with a conflicted expression. It seemed she really wanted to activate the magic sword and unleash its power.

However, magic swords typically have only a few uses. This [Magic Sword·Caladbolg], despite its large size, was estimated by Tsubaki to have a maximum of two uses. If pushed to its limits, it might even break after a single use.

To forge this magic sword, Tsubaki had not only emptied her savings but also borrowed some funds from the familia. Of course, the bulk of the expenses went toward the various experiments conducted during the forging process—essentially, research and development costs. The cost of the sword itself, while not insignificant, wasn't as exaggerated.

Still, for Tsubaki, one of the city's top blacksmiths, to frequently find herself penniless was largely due to her expensive hobbies—collecting rare equipment and materials, as well as designing and researching new types of gear.

As everyone knows, research is the most expensive endeavor.

But while money goes out quickly, it comes back even faster. With this [Magic Sword·Caladbolg], Tsubaki could make a hefty profit by selling it to other familias' wealthy patrons.

"Shirou, thanks to your help, I was able to complete this magic sword.",Tsubaki approached Shirou and pulled him into a hug. Her well-trained, voluptuous body possessed strength far beyond imagination, making it impossible for him to resist.

"Tsubakih-senp… I can't breathe…"

———

"Lady Hephaestus, I've come to update my status."

"Oh, Shirou, you're here.",Hephaestus said, her left index finger resting on her lips, which were full and alluring.

"Perfect timing. Tsubaki just finished her update.",the goddess said,"It's been a long time coming, but that girl's status has finally broken through."

Tsubaki was a veteran first-class adventurer. Her breakthrough to Lv.5 dated back to the dark period several years ago. After that, thanks to her formidable talent and passion for blacksmithing, her status improved rapidly, especially her dexterity, which was crucial for forging.

However, effort and passion don't always provide the strength to break through bottlenecks. Tsubaki's highest dexterity stat had been stuck at A899 for a long time.

She had even started to believe that A899 was her limit, which had left her somewhat disheartened.

But after completing the forging of [Magic Sword·Caladbolg], Hephaestus updated her status and confirmed that Tsubaki's dexterity had finally increased, reaching S900.

This meant Tsubaki had broken through her limits, and it also reflected the quality and power of the [Magic Sword].

"It's a shame Tsubaki's [Achievements] are still far from sufficient. Otherwise, our familia would have a Lv.6 adventurer."

Shirou had also heard Tsubaki mention that, unlike lower-level adventurers who often level up with only D-rank basic stats, most Lv.5 adventers have long since hit their stat caps, with their highest stats even reaching S-rank. Yet, they're still held back by the lack of [Achievements].

"However, since her stats have broken through the bottleneck, she'll surely gain the necessary [Achievements] eventually.",Hephaestus said with confidence in Tsubaki.

"Tsubaki sets high standards for herself. Aside from dexterity, her strength and endurance are still some distance from reaching A-rank… But I believe it won't take long.",the goddess said.

The fact that her stats, which she thought had reached their limit, had improved again was both an opportunity and a beginning. Unbeknownst to her, fate was slowly changing.

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"As expected, not much time has passed since your last status update, so the improvements in strength and agility are quite limited.",Hephaestus analyzed after updating Shirou's status, looking at the parchment recording the boy's divine blessing.

"However, your dexterity and magic have seen significant increases. It seems participating in the creation of the magic sword has given you a lot of high-quality experience."

The successful forging of [Magic Sword·Caladbolg] had allowed Tsubaki, a Lv.5 adventurer, to break through her dexterity bottleneck. Even though Shirou only participated briefly and received a small portion of the experience, the quality of that experience was so high that it directly led to a substantial boost in his stats.

His magic increased by 30 points, reaching F311, while his dexterity shot up by 80 points, reaching E447.

As for why his endurance also jumped by dozens of points… did he tank a high-level adventurer's magic or something?

"So, Shirou, what are your plans next?",Hephaestus asked. "Are you aiming to obtain the [Blacksmith] development ability and continue practicing in the workshop? Or will you prioritize dungeon exploration?"

As she spoke, Hephaestus handed the parchment recording Shirou's status to him.

Shirou thought for a moment,"I'll prioritize dungeon exploration for now. If possible, I'd like to level up as quickly as I can."

As he gradually adapted to this world, Shirou's understanding of the "Falna" system deepened. He now realized just how significant "level" was to an adventurer.

Leveling up not only meant a comprehensive enhancement of abilities but also represented an opportunity to gain development abilities, new magic, and skills. More importantly, leveling up signified an improvement in an adventurer's "capacity" and "life level."

The Guild's classification standards for adventurers are: Lv.1 is a lower-class adventurer, Lv.2 and above are collectively referred to as upper-class adventurers, with Lv.2 specifically called third-class adventurers, Lv.3 and Lv.4 as second-class adventurers, and Lv.5 and above as first-class adventurers.

Countless facts have shown that high-level adventurers almost always dominate lower-level ones. Only a handful of geniuses can barely bridge the gap between levels. Moreover, the higher the level, the harder it becomes to overcome level differences. This is because high-level adventurers are often geniuses among their peers.

Shirou had already made up his mind,"Whether it's for the [Blacksmith] development ability or to gain the power I desire to protect those around me, leveling up is the top priority."

Furthermore, his goal wasn't just to reach Lv.2. He wanted to become as strong as Ryuu, Anya, or even Tsubaki and the Sword Princess.

"Even though Ryuu is strong, she still suffered severe injuries in battle with enemies. Anya always appears cheerful and optimistic, but anyone can tell she carries a heavy, unknown past. Tsubaki, as the only high-level adventurer in the familia for so long, has shouldered the responsibility of supporting the entire familia…"

Shirou wasn't arrogant enough to think he could protect or save them. On the contrary, it had always been them supporting and helping him. In fact, from the very beginning, it was Ryuu who had saved him, allowing him to survive.

He simply hoped that one day, when Ryuu and the others needed him, he would at least have the qualifications to stand by their side and help.

"Well said, Shirou. This is exactly what I admire about you.",Hephaestus said, walking up to Shirou and placing a hand on his shoulder, her fingers lightly squeezing the boy's firm muscles.

"I like the look in your eyes, Shirou. I can see the flames of 'ambition' burning within them.",Hephaestus said,"The children of our familia are all wonderful, but they lack a bit of 'ambition.' Aside from Tsubaki, the others are too content with the status quo."

By working steadily in the workshop, spending years or even decades to raise their dexterity and strength stats to D-rank or C-rank, then participating in mid-level expeditions with other familias to gain the [Achievements] needed to level up, they could ascend to Lv.2 and obtain the [Blacksmith] development ability.

For the majority of Hephaestus Familia members, this was their lifelong dream. Many of the familia's blacksmiths reached Lv.2 at a young age and never leveled up again. Often, their forging skills also stagnated at the moment they achieved their goal.

Tsubaki was the exception, as she was passionate about personally testing the weapons she crafted in the dungeon. Moreover, her obsession with "forging equipment that surpasses the divine realm" drove her to seek higher stats and levels.

For other blacksmiths,"surpassing the divine realm" was nothing more than an unrealistic fantasy. After all, reaching Lv.2 and obtaining the [Blacksmith] development ability was already sufficient to forge first-class equipment. Why take unnecessary risks or push themselves further?

Tsubaki's works were also first-class equipment, just of slightly better quality than others'. But so what?

"It's not that I think their contentment with the status quo is bad. Everyone has their own aspirations, and seeing those children find stable happiness brings me joy. And to be honest, reaching Lv.2 is already quite impressive.",Hephaestus said, looking into Shirou's eyes.

"But we gods, we always yearn for 'heroes,'",the goddess said, her voice ethereal and profound.

"So, Shirou, go on your adventure. This time, there will be no high-level adventurers to assist or protect you. Use your own strength to conquer the dungeon."

After all, an adventurer is someone who takes risks, overcomes hardships, and achieves the impossible

The so-called adventurer must take risks, overcome hardships, and accomplish the impossible in order to achieve great feats that even the gods will admire.

Emiya Shirou answered seriously,"I understand, Lady Hephaestus."

"However, I must remind you first—although you will likely want to level up as soon as possible, I still hope that even if you meet the conditions for leveling up, you will train your basic abilities to their limits before advancing in level."

Hephaestus continued,"At the very least, your highest stat should reach A-rank, and the others should reach at least C-rank."

Shirou nodded,"Yes, that is my plan as well."

"Mm, as long as you understand.",Hephaestus smiled, satisfied with the boy's determination.

"By the way, Lady Hephaestus, I wanted to ask—do we have any companions in our familia who can serve as supporters? Or would it be better to hire one from the Guild?",Shirou asked.

Hephaestus tilted her head slightly, pondered for a moment, and then spoke in a calm tone,"You don't need a supporter."

Emiya Shirou was a bit confused,"What?"

"The main role of a supporter is to pick up monster magic stones and dropped items.",Hephaestus stated plainly, her words striking deep into the boy's heart.

"Just leave everything behind. For monsters in the lower floors, whether it's magic stones or dropped items, there's no need to pick them up. We don't lack that little bit of money."

Seeing the boy's utterly shocked and helplessly cute expression, Hephaestus couldn't help but laugh.

"Speaking of which, Shirou, do you know how much Tsubaki's newly forged magic sword can sell for? And how much you would get from it?"

Hephaestus raised two fingers,"This level of magic sword is a unique piece in the current labyrinth city, with a price tag of at least 100 million valis, and your share is 20%."

[A/N: Magic Sword Price

In the original work, the most ordinary magic sword, which can only shoot a small fireball, is priced around several hundred thousand to a million valis (its power is very small, and it might not even kill a Level 1 monster).

Tsubaki once forged a lightning magic sword that could briefly stagger a Level 6 monster (but it couldn't deal much damage), which is currently the top-tier magic sword in the labyrinth city, and its price should be in the tens of millions of valis.

Currently, the pricing of a unique super magic sword at hundreds of millions or even several billion valis seems quite reasonable.]

[[1]Noble Phantasms, or simply Precious/Treasured Tools, in the Japanese version, are "crystallized Mysteries", powerful armaments made using human imagination as their core, and are the weapons and/or abilities owned by Heroic Spirits. As humanity's illusions, they embody the ultimate Mysteries of a hero as symbols of their existence through historical fact and anecdotes.]

['Mystery' is a sliver of power of many different types that comes from the Root. And 'Root' is a metaphysical location that acts as the "force" that exists at the top of all theories in every dimension, as well as the source of all events and phenomena in the universe. It is also known as the Akashic Records, and occasionally, Heaven]

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