"What's going on?"
After being led aside by Lis, Rozen immediately inquired. In the distance, Asuna was still watching, her delicate face filled with confusion, indicating she was also unaware of Lis's intentions.
Lis turned around to look at Asuna, who was some distance away, and then returned her gaze to Rozen.
"You just mentioned paying for the forging cost, right?" Lis began, "If that's the case, can I ask you for a favor?"
Upon hearing this, Rozen started to understand Lis's intentions.
"Do you want to offset this expense with a task?" Rozen asked, realizing what she was getting at.
Lis's expression showed a hint of uncertainty. "Well, I know it sounds strange. As a blacksmith, my job is to forge the weapon, and you pay for it. But this sword is so much more special than any other weapon, with its extraordinary performance. In today's SAO, it's the kind of item any player would go to great lengths to obtain. So, I thought I'd ask for something unique in return. Is that unreasonable?"
Lis spoke with a hint of doubt in her voice.
"Although this sword isn't entirely my doing," she added with a touch of self-awareness.
Lis understood that, despite her skills, she couldn't have forged this sword without the exceptional materials used in its creation.
Using an S-ranked metal as the main material, along with other high-rarity materials, was the primary reason behind the creation of this crystal sword—materials that other players couldn't even hope to obtain.
Lis was aware of this and, although she was pleased to have been able to use such rare materials, she didn't take much credit for it. Otherwise, she would have been thrilled to create a weapon of this caliber, given her expertise in blacksmithing.
However, what Lis didn't know was that Rozen had meticulously calculated and considered the materials he should use for this sword. He had chosen various materials with great care, and it was this careful selection that had contributed significantly to the sword's creation.
Nevertheless, Lis was aware that her role in this work wasn't as significant as the materials themselves.
Hearing Lis's words, Rozen took a moment to ponder and then nodded.
"Yes, it makes sense. Getting this sword is a huge surprise, and since it came from your craftsmanship, it's only fair to offer something special in return," Rozen declared. "So, what kind of task do you need my help with?"
Upon hearing Rozen's response, Lis's expression became more reserved.
"Actually," Lis began, "I think you might understand better than I do. Asuna is going through a lot of hardship."
This statement left Rozen somewhat subdued.
"Hardship...?" he echoed.
Indeed, in this world, Asuna was enduring a great deal of hardship.
"That girl's mind is consumed by the Clearing, whether during battles or even when she's sleeping. All she thinks about is the Clearing; she neither cares nor pays attention to anything else. She's living in this world clumsily, and it's painful to watch."
Lis glanced slightly in Asuna's direction, her expression a mix of compassion and concern.
"Though in this world, every player's biggest desire is to escape and return to the real world, Asuna's desire in this regard is stronger than anyone else's. She's pushing herself to the brink," Lis continued.
This situation was unavoidable.
Compared to others, Asuna's situation in the real world was more complicated. Her parents had invested a lot of effort into shaping her into a societal elite. Asuna herself had been striving for success since she was old enough to understand.
Now, she was trapped in this world, and every moment spent here came at the cost of the achievements she had worked for her entire life. Her parents would lament her path toward a chaotic life, and those around her would ridicule her excellence. The more time she wasted here, the more entangled her real-world life would become.
Setting aside everything else, the fact that those classmates who used to study together with Asuna are now happily advancing in their studies while she, who used to surpass them all, is left behind and can't catch up is enough to make Asuna feel unbearable.
It's not because Asuna cares so much about her status and abilities; it's just that her life was structured this way, not allowing her to fall behind.
In this situation, Asuna has to do everything in her power to leave this place. The problem is, she doesn't even realize it.
"Struggling so hard for such a life, even risking her life in battles, this is something that shouldn't happen."
Lis expressed her frustration and disappointment.
To this, Rozen had only one question: "What do you want me to do?"
Lis didn't hesitate. "If you can, please help her."
She gazed earnestly at Rozen, her request sincere.
"I believe that if it's you, there must be something you can do to help her. At least that's what I think."
After all, this man in front of her was renowned throughout SAO as the most intelligent and capable leader, known as the "Magus," someone with the potential to save thousands of players who are trapped in this game.
Rozen, even with a wry smile, understood the weight of Lis's request.
Seeing his reaction, Lis playfully teased, "What's wrong? Is the famous 'Magus,' who is considered the most likely person to save thousands of players in SAO, saying he can't even help a girl?"
Rozen immediately corrected her, "That's something you all assumed on your own."
Saying this, Rozen turned his head to look in Asuna's direction.
"All right," Rozen suddenly smiled and said, "If it become really bothersome, I'll give her a good lesson."
These words made Lis smile as well.
"Then, I'll leave it to you, dear customer," Lis chuckled, "And if you have some free time, please remember to promote my smith shop, okay?"
If the leader of the clearing group mentioned her shop during a strategy meeting, Lis wouldn't have to worry about business in the future.
"Is that part of the payment?" Rozen sounded a bit exasperated but then seemed to remember something and mused to himself, "By the way, Kirito probably needs another sword that can match the Elucidator because of his 'Dual Blades' skill. I'll introduce you to him next time."
Rozen made this decision without realizing that he was pushing Kirito into a terrifying storm.
Whether it was a blessing or a curse, that was a matter of perspective.