Chapter 874 - 678: Hephaestos

Yes, the sack is filled with an array of gems and treasures, radiating a dazzling brilliance from within.

"This is the reward that the mysterious magician who asked Ais and me to solve the monster surge issue on the 24th floor last time offered." Reiger smiled slightly and said, "I only took two magic books, gave one to Ais, and the rest are all here."

"Ais and I discussed it, and we decided to give these to the guild to use as funds for the upcoming expedition."

"The last expedition’s failure already caused significant losses, and now we have to prepare so many magic swords and indestructible weapons. Selling these should help fill some of the funding gaps, right?"

Weapons with indestructible properties are ridiculously expensive; each one costs at least tens of millions of Falis. Not to mention that we intend to prepare top-quality weapons for the first-class adventurers, each costing nearly a hundred million Falis. The guild plans to prepare one for almost all of the officers, which would cost nearly ten billion Falis, wouldn’t it?

Magic swords, being special armaments capable of instant magical bombardments, are also costly, with each costing over a million Falis. Top-quality and powerful ones, capable of threatening even first-class adventurers, should command over ten million Falis, anything less is just a loss. These are consumables with limited uses, and Finn is planning to procure them in large quantities, costing several billion Falis.

With additional resources, and not to mention, the highest quality elixir known as Spiritual Medicine is priced at five hundred thousand Falis per bottle from Dian Ket’s guild. During expeditions, the Loki guild buys these by the bundle...

In conclusion, it’s impossible for the Loki guild to spend less than several billion Falis on equipment and supplies for this expedition.

By the way, during the last expedition, the main armaments of Finn, Grace, Bert, and others were dissolved, which means rebuilding them would cost another sum of money.

However, these are personal weapons, normally not prepared by the guild, but personally handled by the individuals, so they don’t count as expedition fund losses.

But, even so, if the Loki guild, which suffered significant losses in the last expedition, needs to prepare so many supplies and incur such financial drain for this expedition, the accumulated guild assets might be entirely depleted, even incurring huge debts.

So, when Reiger took this commissioned reward to find Ais, Ais said to give it to Finn for the expedition funds.

"Oh, oh! This is really a big help!"

Understanding this point, Loki danced with joy.

"Great, great, we thought we’d have to sell our collections this time; this is really solving our pressing needs!"

Next to him, Finn also smiled, without refusing, and accepted the sack full of gems and treasures.

"The people in the guild really are rich; such a large treasure was given just like that. They were never this generous with commissions before."

These words were rather meaningful.

"Hmph, those people at the guild are all covered in riches, aren’t they?" Loki snatched the sack, picked up a gem to play with, and said grinning, "They have a monopoly on all the magic stone products; they’re official organizations. They lack nothing except money."

"Well, enough about them." Finn shook his head, turned around, and said to Reiger, "Since you’re going to the Hephaestos Clan, come with us."

"Sure."

Reiger naturally had no objections.

Thus, the two humans and one deity departed from the guild’s headquarters, heading to North East Street.

...

As Orario’s proud magic stone product manufacturing hub, North East Street was just like when Reiger had come before. Due to the thriving craft industry, it had a typical atmosphere of a men’s factory even in broad daylight.

Reiger, Finn, and Loki walked down the street, chatting as they went, and soon arrived at Chun’s workshop.

Waiting for them there was someone who had come early.

"Hey there! Feifei! We’re here!"

Upon seeing that person, Loki immediately raised his hand, stretching his limbs enthusiastically to greet them.

"Long time no see, Loki."

That person turned her head, looking over this way.

With vibrant red short hair, her looks were more handsome than beautiful. Her face adorned with an eyepatch covering the right half of her face, the remaining eye being the same fiery red as her hair, like blazing flames, leaving people breathless.

"Greetings, Goddess Hephaestos."

Finn respectfully bowed to the person.

This one-eyed redhead was the deity of the city’s largest forging faction, the Hephaestos Clan.

She was the goddess of forging.

She was the goddess of fire.

She was Hephaestos.

"Greetings, Goddess Hephaestos."

Confirming it was indeed the person (or deity) he sought, Reiger also bowed.

"Hmm?" Goddess Hephaestos examined Reiger with her exposed left eye, then seemed to realize something and said, "You wouldn’t happen to be the city’s strongest magic swordsman, the monster rookie that the Loki family proudly boasts of, Reiger Brillhaut, would you?"

She identified Reiger at a glance.

"You recognized me already? Feifei!"

Loki chuckled, appearing proud.

"Because Chun mentioned him to me." Hephaestos smiled charmingly, maintaining her handsome demeanor, and said, "He’s the one my captain couldn’t stop praising, even dedicating his life’s highest masterpiece to him. I’ve longed to meet him."

"How perfect." Loki nonchalantly said, with hands in pockets, "This guy seems to have some business with you, Feifei. If you don’t mind, chat with him later."

"Business with me?" Hephaestos was taken aback, puzzled, "What business?"

"Well, let him tell you later." Loki waved his hand dismissively, acting casual, "Let’s discuss the main business first, okay, Reiger?"

"Of course." Reiger smiled faintly, "Let’s talk about the expedition first; my matters can be discussed anytime."

"Alright then." Hephaestos could only nod, "Let’s head inside, Chun is already waiting for us."

With that, led by Hephaestos, they all entered the workshop.

Chun’s workshop was still the same as before, appearing disorganized and messy.

Chun herself, just like the last time, was deep in the workshop, hammering a piece of metal vigorously.

"Chun, we’re here."

Finn called out to her, and she came to her senses, noticing the group standing outside the workshop.

However, this strongest forging master in the city first focused her attention on Reiger and hurried over.

"You brat, you’ve finally come to see me!"

Chun opened with such words, with a voice full of mock irritation.

"...Did I offend you?"

Reiger was a bit surprised by Chun’s tone and attitude.

"No, you didn’t." Chun still had a mock annoyance, even glaring at Reiger, "But ever since you took my highest masterpiece, nearly two months have passed without you showing up. Do you know how anxious I was?"

"You could at least bring the sword for me to sharpen or maintain, that’d be nice!"

"That’s the best piece of equipment I crafted with great effort. At least let me see how it’s been used!"

Chun expressed her displeasure over such reasons, leaving Finn and Loki looking at each other.

"Chun, you..."

Hephaestos also sighed, holding her forehead.

"Uh..."

Reiger was speechless.

For such a reason?

Truly, a forging master.