Blacksmith of the Apocalypse

Although Seth didn't keep his eyes on her all the time, he was surprised to hear that Sivri was not only able to leave the workshop, but she also made a trip outside to hunt for souls on her own. Despite being too petite for heavy forging, it didn't mean that she was weak. She had killed various ice-based monsters in the mountains and processed them in the Soul Refinery.

"Shay, do you have a moment?" he called, while knocking on the door.

"B-Boss?! Please wait a moment," he heard him call from inside.

He heard a commotion inside. Hushed voices arguing, hectic feet running around, door opening and closing. Finally, the door opened a little and through the gap, he saw a slim, bare-chested mage, sweat still pouring down his body.

"Boss, hello! I didn't expect visitors today," he greeted him embarrassedly.

"Are you busy? Did I come at a bad time?" he asked with a knowing grin.

"No! No, what are you saying? I'm totally free," he answered hurriedly.

"Oh, really? Elly! Is he free right now, or should I leave?" the bard shouted into the room behind Shay.

"Yes! I was close! It would be great if you could just leave!" the slime rancher called from inside.

"B-boss, it's not what it looks like!" the water mage stammered.

"Geez, Shay. There is no need to make a big fuss about it. Here, it's a bracelet made from that crystal Olaf dropped. I'm leaving now, so get back in there." he told the mage.

"T-Thanks-" the mage answered confused, unsure whether he thanked for the bracelet or the "permission". It wasn't like members of Minas Mar were banned from having relationships, as proven by Jess and James, or Lydia and Mike.

"I'm leaving now! Bye, Elly!" he shouted louder so she could hear him.

"Yeah! Get going already!" was the answer he heard before leaving.

Now he had only two things left to deliver.

"Tower, where are Lynri and Evee right now?" he asked the tower ego.

~Lord Evee is currently present in the Enchantment Labs. Lady Lynri is in her room.~

This decided it. Lynri was closer, so he was going to visit her first. On his way, he wondered about her development. From the time he met her on accident in the stronghold of the Theocracy of Chains, to her asking for a chance to grow in a different world, and how she actually ended up back in Minas Mar now.

He was quite surprised by her presence when he met her for the first time after his return. The young woman that had struck him as a rather selfish, stubborn, and spoiled girl had blossomed to become a powerful priestess with a pure aura.

Of course, it was all smoke and mirrors created by her skills as a high-ranking healer. The moment she opened her mouth and spoke with him casually, the illusion was broken. She was quite open about how she chose to use the backing he organized for her and the preferential position as a healer, to build a reputation and make bank with her skills.

At least in the beginning. Although she had not changed a lot, it really seemed like her adventures had led her to develop a certain sense of responsibility and compassion. Although Seth doubted whether she was worthy of a title like Priestess of the Fount in private, her actions really painted a better picture than her words.

The blacksmith understood, why Leana thought of calling her back. Especially what he heard about her performance as part of the team in the dungeon over the past days had fully convinced Seth to fully accept her and give her a legendary item.

It was the first necklace Sivri had made for him as a test. Set in <Olympian Silver> the sun bead looked like a citrine glowing with a warm fire from within. The golden dwarf had taken the healer souls Seth had prepared for more healer equipment and churned them through the Soul Refinery together with many common souls to increase the size. She used it to properly enchant the necklace and added various buffs to all healing skills.

All in all, it really ended up being a necklace worthy of the Priestess of the Fount, just as much as Lynri had proven to be worthy of his trust. When he reached the door of their newest tenant, Seth halted.

"Tower, she's alone, right?"

Although he didn't mind interrupting some raunchy business, it didn't mean he wanted to do so on purpose. Learning from his previous encounter, he checked in with the tower ego first.

~Affirmative~

Following the tower ego's answer, he nodded and knocked at the door. "Lynri, are you there?"

"Seth?" she asked, opening the door. She wore a sports bra and leotards and was wiping away sweat with a towel. The blacksmith had to admit that she really had adapted to Urth's society incredibly well in such a short time.

"Oh, sorry, I was training a moment ago and was going to take a shower now," she explained with a smile. Really, incredibly well.

"Now worry, I'm also not going to take much of your time. I came by to give you your welcome present since you are now part of Minas Mar."

"A present?" she asked with pleasant surprise.

"A legendary necklace, so you can keep up with the others;" he said and brought out the Sun bead Pendant Sivri had made for her. Her eyes sparkled with greed as he explained the functions it had.

"Just so you know, you signed the soul contract, which also states that you can't sell this," Seth cautioned her, suspicious of her gaze, before handing the necklace over.

"Why would I ever give this out of my hands? I would sell everything else I own, and maybe my body before giving this away- Did I say that out loud?" she asked suddenly embarrassed.

"Even your body, you say? Well, I would have to talk with Mina if she is interested in that purchase," he joked with a grin. However, Lynri's face fell, it didn't seem like she understood it as a joke, considering their first encounter.

"I'm not selling!" she exclaimed, her face bright red.

"I'm joking. I'm not going to pay you for a foursome," Seth said with a shrug. He couldn't help laughing when she suddenly looked at him angrily.

"Why are you looking at me like that, you said you aren't selling anyway."

"Not selling and hearing someone being unwilling to pay are two different things!" she cried out in a huff. Seth only answered her with a mischievous grin. Making her face even redder in anger and embarrassment.

"You wanted to take a shower, I'm leaving now," he finally said as he turned away.

"Yeah"! Go away- but thanks for the necklace..." Despite being angry, she still thanked him meekly from behind.

Waving at her with his back turned to her, he got on his way to the enchanting labs deeper down in the main tower. The last person he had to visit today was Evee. The blacksmith had a scepter with her name on it, figuratively.