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"Three hundred Mental Health Potions, one hundred Stamina Health Potions, and twenty Panaceas."
"As per the list, we've purchased all the necessary potions," Airmid announced with a smile, placing the purchased items on the table. "Combined with the potions I've crafted, we're well-stocked in that department."
"Thanks to you, Airmid, we've saved a considerable amount of money," Mika said, taking the list from Airmid and praising her with a smile.
Due to their "Mystery" ability, Mika, Airmid, and Mellie each had their own preferred crafting skills.
Mika specialized in blacksmithing.
Airmid focused on potion making.
When Airmid leveled up, she initially intended to choose "Mixing," a development ability that would enhance her potion crafting skills.
However, the emergence of "Healing" altered her plans.
Faced with the choice between improving her healing abilities to better protect her companions and pursuing her passion for potion making, Airmid prioritized the former.
Nevertheless, thanks to her diligence and the influence of "Mystery," her potion-making skills had steadily improved.
The potions Mika and the others typically used were crafted by Airmid.
If not for the urgency of the current situation and the sheer quantity of potions required, Airmid could have fulfilled the entire order herself.
"While it's true that we've saved money, we don't have many expenses," Yahweh remarked, thinking of the mountain of valis in her possession. "When will this cursed 'Great Feud' finally end?"
"We're in a situation where we have money but nowhere to spend it."
The rise of the dark factions had severely disrupted Orario's economy. There were no opportunities for extravagant spending in the current state of the city.
Of course, the Ishtar Familia's entertainment district was an exception.
However, Mika wouldn't dare to venture into such establishments.
If he did, his companions would undoubtedly subject him to a harsh judgment.
Besides, in terms of quality, none in the entertainment district could compare to the beauties within his own Familia.
If he desired excitement, he could always visit Mellie in his dreams.
Compared to her real-world counterpart, her dream self was incredibly uninhibited.
Perhaps that was her true nature?
Mika couldn't help but recall the legends of Merlin, a figure notorious for his licentiousness.
"If we have nowhere to spend it, then let's save it," Mika suggested enthusiastically. "Once we've completely dealt with the dark factions, we'll buy a large estate and enjoy a comfortable life!"
"A large estate?! I like that idea! Very much!" Mellie exclaimed.
"I'll definitely build several laboratories, a potion-making room for Airmid, and a smithy for Mika. That way, we won't have to complain about the lack of space in our rooms."
"It would be even more fun if we could replicate the recreational facilities from other worlds on our estate," Mellie added excitedly.
Airmid's eyes lit up at Mellie's suggestion.
As their crafting skills developed, their collection of materials, samples, books, and various other items had gradually encroached upon their living space.
Mika, in particular, still lacked a dedicated smithy.
Every time Yahweh and the others suggested purchasing a smithy, he refused, claiming he would build one within their future Familia home.
However, the timeline for acquiring a new home remained uncertain.
It seemed that frugality was ingrained in Mika's very being.
In his previous life, Mika had never hesitated to spend money in games.
However, when it came to ordering takeout, he would avoid any place with a delivery fee exceeding two units.
He was that thrifty.
"Then it's settled!" Mika declared, noticing the hopeful look in Airmid's eyes.
With that topic established, they immediately shifted their focus to discussing the design and layout of their future Familia estate.
They even started sketching blueprints, their excitement palpable.
It was only after they had thoroughly planned every detail of their future home that they remembered their initial discussion about resource preparation.
"Speaking of which, Mika, didn't you go to the Loki Familia this morning? What's the plan?" Mellie asked, steering the conversation back on track after a moment of awkward silence.
"Ah, that," Mika said, straightening up and adopting a serious tone.
"According to Finn and the others, the two major Familias participating in this operation are Finn, Riveria, and Gareth from the Loki Familia, and Ottar, Allen, Hogni, and Hedin from the Freya Familia."
"The two Familias are going all out!" Mellie exclaimed in surprise.
These were the elite forces of the two most powerful Familias in Orario!
With the Freya and Loki Familias reigning supreme, these seven adventurers represented Orario's strongest fighting force.
Among them, Ottar was Level 6, while the others were all Level 5.
They were the only known first-tier adventurers in Orario.
Currently, no other Familia openly boasted any Level 5 or 6 adventurers.
"Of course. After all, if we encounter Zald and Alfia, they'll be our main fighting force."
"If we don't give it our all now, we'll be risking our lives later."
Mika was well acquainted with these individuals.
Currently, they were the only first-tier adventurers in Orario, and seven years later, they would be the only Level 6 adventurers remaining.
They were undoubtedly the elite of Orario.
They would also be the main force in the upcoming expedition to defeat the Balor, and the key to its success.
If they could level up during this operation, having one Level 7 and six Level 6 adventurers would significantly alleviate the pressure on Orario.
Even though Zald and Alfia were currently weakened and no longer at their peak, the gap between Level 7 and Level 5 was still immense.
Ottar, a lone Level 6, would be severely outmatched.
Furthermore, both Zald and Alfia were exceptional even among Level 7 adventurers.
"What about the rest of us, the supporting cast?" Mellie asked with a chuckle.
"Alise, Gojouno, Ryuu from the Astraea Familia. From the Ganesha Familia, besides Shakti, there are three Level 4 adventurers, though I'm not familiar with them."
"Besides us, there's also Tsubaki Collbrande from the Hephaestus Familia," Mika concluded.
---
Since the Yahweh Familia had only begun to demonstrate their strength in the last six months, their familiarity with the Astraea and Ganesha Familias was relatively recent.
The Astraea Familia was small, and since the two Familias had formed an alliance, they knew each other quite well.
As for the Ganesha Familia, Mika was only acquainted with Shakti and a few of her close companions.
Tasked with maintaining peace in Orario, the Ganesha Familia, known as the "City's Military Police," had an incredibly demanding workload.
Therefore, Mika wasn't familiar with the other skilled members of their Familia.
"However, after discussing the matter with Finn, it seems Shakti is considering going alone," Mika revealed.
"Eh? Why?" Airmid asked, surprised.
Mellie, however, seemed to have an inkling of the reason.
"Is it because of secrecy?" she inquired.
"Exactly," Mika confirmed. "Unlike us, the Ganesha Familia is far too conspicuous. Their movements are likely being monitored."
"While the Loki and Freya Familias hold leadership positions among the various Familias, it's the Ganesha Familia that stands out the most."
"Precisely," Mellie added, quickly grasping Shakti's reasoning. "If we were to use an analogy, the adventurers led by the two major Familias are the 'army.'"
"While the Ganesha Familia are the 'police.'"
"Unless the dark faction launches a large-scale attack, it's usually the Ganesha Familia, along with other allied Familias, who handle most situations."
"The adventurers from the two major Familias are stationed centrally, ready to provide support."
"However, except in cases of large-scale attacks by the dark faction, the top-tier combatants from the two major Familias are kept in reserve to prevent the enemy from using diversionary tactics."
"Therefore, their absence for a short period wouldn't attract much attention. But the Ganesha Familia is different. They patrol the streets daily, and the dark faction is likely aware of their patrol routes."
"If their members were to suddenly disappear, the dark faction would definitely become suspicious."
After all, these were Level 4 adventurers.
If the dark faction became alerted and staged an incident as a test, they would easily discover the weakened state of the major Familias.
That would be disastrous.
"Therefore, Shakti is considering going alone. However, the matter hasn't been finalized yet."
"That makes sense. Shakti is the captain of the Ganesha Familia, and her usual role is to remain at headquarters, ready to provide support."
"So, her absence for a short time wouldn't be an issue."
"I see," Airmid said, finally understanding the situation thanks to Mika and Mellie's explanation.
The Ganesha Familia wasn't ideally suited for this type of operation.
However, excluding them entirely wouldn't be appropriate, given their status as a pillar of Orario.
Mika suspected that Finn was likely struggling with this dilemma.
Shakti, considering these factors, had likely volunteered to go alone.
However, the final decision would depend on their discussions.
"Speaking of Tsubaki, I'm still surprised by her," Mellie remarked as Mika pondered the situation.
"The Hephaestus Familia is a commercial Familia, yet they managed to cultivate such a powerful adventurer."
"It's truly astonishing!"
"If she had joined an exploration-focused Familia, she might already be Level 5 by now!"
Mika also recalled Tsubaki Collbrande.
As the sole member from a commercial Familia participating in this operation, her presence was unique.
Generally, most adventurers in commercial Familias were Level 1.
After all, their primary focus was on crafting and selling goods. They rarely had the time for dungeon exploration like other adventurers.
Of course, there were exceptions.
For instance, blacksmiths and alchemists.
Due to the "Blacksmith" and "Mixing" development abilities, which significantly enhanced the quality of equipment and potions respectively, these specialists needed to reach Level 2 to improve their craft.
But that was the extent of their leveling needs. Further advancement wasn't necessary.
Blacksmiths, due to their physically demanding work, might have the opportunity to level up before retirement.
In such cases, they might occasionally venture into the dungeon.
However, years of focusing on their craft often resulted in a decline in their combat skills.
This made it difficult for them to achieve feats worthy of leveling up.
Therefore, Level 3 and above adventurers were rare in commercial Familias.
However, Tsubaki was an exception.
She was currently Level 4 and would eventually reach Level 5.
This was because she had a habit of personally testing the quality of her crafted weapons in the dungeon.
This meant she spent more time in the dungeon than other commercial blacksmiths.
But that was the extent of her dungeon exploration.
The time Tsubaki spent in the dungeon was far less than that of dedicated exploration-type adventurers, not even a fraction.
Yet, she had managed to reach Level 4 and would eventually reach Level 5.
This could only be attributed to her exceptional talent.
She possessed the natural aptitude for dungeon exploration.
It was a shame she had chosen blacksmithing.
That's why Mellie felt it was a waste of her potential.
If she had joined the Loki or Freya Familias, or even an ordinary Familia, with regular dungeon exploration, she would likely be Level 5 by now.
And in the future, she might even have the potential to reach Level 6 or even Level 7.
"There's no need for regret. After all, this is the path she chose."
"Rather than becoming a world-renowned adventurer, she preferred to become a world-renowned blacksmith."
"One's passion is paramount."
"Look at her now. She's the most skilled blacksmith in Orario, perhaps even the entire world. She's reached the pinnacle of her chosen field."
"If she had become an adventurer, she likely wouldn't surpass those seven monsters from the Loki and Freya Familias."
"In that sense, perhaps it would have been a greater waste for her to become an adventurer," Mika remarked with a smile.
Mellie was taken aback by Mika's words.
Upon reflection, she realized he was right.
In the current Orario, apart from the gods with blacksmithing-related divinities, no mortal or other race could surpass Tsubaki's skills.
She was undoubtedly the greatest blacksmith in Orario, and possibly the world.
"I was being foolish," Mellie admitted, shaking her head. "I was too focused on strength. Tsubaki's talent in blacksmithing far surpasses her potential as an adventurer."
"She's a multi-talented genius!"
...
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