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All production-related Familia in the labyrinth city refused to cooperate with the Evilus. Therefore, the Evilus's supply of equipment, items, and medicine, aside from robbery and a small amount of self-production, mainly relied on smuggling from the outside world.
Especially for items like magic swords, apart from the high-level blacksmiths in the labyrinth city, only a few forces such as the magic kingdom of Altena, the sword-making city of Solingen, and the war kingdom of Rakia had the capability to produce them on a large scale.
"Two years ago, with the assistance of Zanis, the remnants of the Evilus smuggled a large number of magic swords and flame stones at once...", Ryuu's hand holding the letter tightened, "Not long after, a 'nightmare'-like tragedy occurred..."
The remnants of the Evilus set a trap deep in the labyrinth of the dungeon, ambushing and annihilating a squad from the Astrea Familia, almost wiping them out in one go.
The adventurer squad framed by the Evilus was from the Astraea Familia. The adventurers from this Familia were completely wiped out in this incident, with the sole survivor being a girl named Ryuu Lion.
"Shirou, can you accompany me to the dungeon?"
.
.
.
The next day, when the sky was still dim and a faint fish-belly white had just risen on the horizon, Emiya and Ryuu entered the dungeon together.
Their actions were very swift. Magic stones and dropped items were all crushed on the spot, and they did not delve deeper into the labyrinth to chase monsters. They advanced rapidly along the main path, heading downward at high speed.
All the monsters along the way were slain with a single sword strike. Ryuu did not use her usual weaponâthe sacred sword made from the branch of the sacred tree in the fairy forest, which has high compatibility with elven magic and possesses the staff attribute, the wooden sword known as Alves Lumina.
And the equipment gifted by the late member of the Astraea Familia, the Far Eastern-born Gojouno Kaguya, the short sword Futaba, was also sheathed at this time.
Ryuu was using a [Mo Ye] borrowed from Emiya.
The form was adjusted based on the user's habits. The [Mo Ye] in Ryuu's hand was a white longsword in the style of a tachi.
Emiya was using a black sword in the style of a longsword, [Gan Jiang]. [Gan Jiang and Mo Ye] have great anti-monster properties. The original Noble Phantasm even had the power to destroy sea monsters and Gorgons, so naturally, slaying monsters in the dungeon was no problem.
No monsters in the middle and upper layers could hinder their progress, and they did not encounter any abnormal events. They quickly reached the 17th floor.
The 17th floor was the deepest record of Emiya's dungeon exploration so far, and he still vividly remembered the battle with the black Goliath.
And less than ten days had passed since they killed the black labyrinth king. Not to mention the black Goliath, even ordinary Goliaths had not respawned. However, the path from the 17th floor to the 18th floor had already been cleared.
Passing through the passage, they entered the safe zone of the 18th floor.
The first thing that extended into their vision was the scenery of a large-scale forest.
Emiya looked up and saw that the branches and a large number of green leaves formed a circular dome. A few beams of sunlight leaked through the gaps in the leaves, and the light shining on his cheeks was warm. Deep within the layers of stacked leaves, a hint of blue could still be faintly discerned.
In the silent forest, numerous crystal blocks reflected the thin sunlight, dyeing the entire forest with a faint blue hue. Even the roots of the giant trees rooted in the ground, along with the moss, were tinged with fragments of azure.
It was both mysterious and full of fantasy. Listening carefully, one could hear the sound of gurgling water, as a small stream flowed through the forest.
Led by Ryuu, Emiya passed through the forest. Gradually, the trees ahead became sparse, forming a semicircular exit.
Just as they crossed the boundary between the dim forest and the outside, they were enveloped by a dazzling light.
Nature spread out before their eyes.
The first thing that caught their attention was a grand prairie that could only be described as majestic. The vast green land, rarely seen even on the surface, occupied most of their vision.
To the left, there was a huge pool of water, so large that it was more appropriate to call it a lake than a pond.
To the right, the trees stretched endlessly, indicating that the forest was also vast. Directly ahead, at a distance in the center of the grand prairie, stood a giant tree with a clearly visible hollow.
The safe floor, the 18th floor, was filled with crystals and nature, an underground world also known as [Rivira].
The contrast between this scenery and the 17th floor was too stark. Emiya, seeing such a scene for the first time, was deeply in shock.
Ryuu, on the other hand, seemed accustomed to it. She walked towards a direction away from the adventurer town of Rivira.
Rivira Town is a small town established by adventurers in the safe floor of the 18th level.
The origin of this town was a large-scale relay base planned by the guild in the past for the purpose of more effective exploration of unexplored floors in the dungeon. Later, the plan was shut down due to the repeated invasion of monsters from other floors and the huge expenses required for a large number of personnel and defense costs.
However, a group of adventurers took over and built the place without permission, resulting in the current [Rivira] town.
Although it is a safe floor where monsters do not spawn, this is still the dungeon, and no one can predict when a sudden abnormal event might occur.
In fact, whenever an abnormal situation occurs, Rivira Town always suffers. As soon as adventurers sense danger, they immediately abandon the town and return to the surface.
So far, Rivira Town has experienced over 300 cycles of destruction and reconstruction, yet it always maintains a vigorous vitality.
And in a place far from Rivira Town, deep in a forest on the 18th floor, Emiya saw a scene that left him silent.
A grave, composed of weapons.
"...Everyone, I'm really sorry for not visiting you for so long since the last time," Ryuu murmured, holding a bouquet of white flowers.
The object of her apology was that very grave.
The grave was adorned with various weapons, mainly swords and staves, most of which had already rusted and decayed, presenting a scene in the beautiful forest that matched the "Adventurer's Grave."
There were no remains beneath the grave, and knowing this, Ryuu still spoke to the weapons they left behind.
"Every time this period comes, I can't help but want to avoid you... I often wonder, do I, who am not worthy of bearing the name of Astrea, really have the right to visit this place? Do I really have the face to see you?"
Ryuu lowered her eyes, as if repenting.
An extremely harsh, extremely arduous, but also extremely glorious past.
"Looking at me now, would you be angry? Would you sigh? Or... would you smile?"
Of course, no one answered her.
So, Ryuu called out the names she would never forget:
"Kaguya, Lyra..."
The eccentric rival, the sarcastic dwarf.
"Noin, Neze, Asta..."
The always optimistic human, the caring beastman, the pitiful dwarf girl.
"Ryana, Celty, Iska, Maryuu..."
The senior and junior mages, the fashion-loving Amazon, the senior who was like everyone's older sister.
"...And, Alise."
Finally, the name of the best friend she respected and admired immensely.
After a long time, Ryuu turned around, her expression a mix of sadness and determination.
"Shirou," Ryuu called softly, and this time, her voice received a response.
A large black bag was thrown to the ground by Emiya.
It was the package delivered by Shakti yesterday, the contents of which they had already confirmedâa person.
A person who was still alive but would not wake up after today, the former leader of the now-defunct Soma Familia, Zanis Lustra.
Also, one of the culprits, in a sense, of the Astraea Familia's destruction incident two years ago, who had delivered a large number of magic swords into the hands of the Evilus remnants.
Shakti, the leader of the Ganesha Familia, who upholds order, even at the cost of breaking the law, delivered this person into the hands of Ryuu and Emiya.
Ryuu took out the short sword Futaba, a pair of exceptionally outstanding blades among second-tier armaments, which were once the weapons of Gojouno Kaguya. Ryuu also learned the art of the tachi from her, who was both a friend and a rival.
Ryuu did not return these weapons to the grave on the 18th floor but kept them as the only choice for relics to fight together.
"Wait," Emiya stopped Ryuu's action.
He looked at the grave adorned with various weapons, mainly swords and staves, with all kinds of weapons reflecting in his eyes.
"Let me do it."
Emiya softly chanted:
[Identify the concept of creation.
Assume the basic skeleton.
Replicate the composition material.
Imitate the production technique.
Sympathize with the growth experience.
Reproduce the accumulated years.
Surpass, complete numerous processesâââ
At this very moment, complete the sword that gathers fantasiesââââ]
"Projection begin (Trace On)."
The first thing that appeared in Emiya's hand was a pair of silver short swords.
The sword bodies had radial small blades, resembling the fangs of a carnivorous animal. Emiya held the hilts of the short swords in a reverse grip, dominating this pair of short swords.
"[Flying Dragon's Fangs], these are, Lyra's weapons..."
Ryuu said softly, the image of her pink-haired, cute dwarf companion appearing before her eyes.
Ryuu's eyes trembled, and crystal like tears fell from the corners of her eyes.
Emiya held the [Flying Dragon's Fangs] in a reverse grip, an indescribable palpitation surged up his heart.
He felt extremely familiar with the weapons in his handâeven though he had only projected them for the first time a few seconds ago, and the initial analysis of these short swords had been done within a minute.
This feeling was as if he had been learning how to use these specially made short swords for a long time; as if someone had personally taught him the methods of using the weapons.
In his ears, it seemed he could hear the mischievous chuckle of the pink-haired dwarf girl.
Emiya threw the short swords, in the large black bag, causing the "creature" inside to struggle and emit a muffled groan.
"Projection, begin (Trace on)."
Emiya continued the projection.
The mace of the human healer, Maryuu.
The gauntlet of the Amazon warrior, Iska.
The heavy hammer of the human blacksmith, Celty.
Ryana's staff, Asta's shield, Neze's claw stab, Noin's long sword...
As various weapons were wielded, the figures of those girls Emiya had never met became clearer in his mind.
Then, Gojouno Kaguya's katana [Higanbana].
The vice-leader of the Astraea Familia, a powerhouse with the title [Yamato Rindou].
Outwardly a black-haired, kimono-clad, delicate woman, but her sharp tongue and rough nature would be exposed upon contact.
Emiya could now see every detail of her body clearly. In his vision, Gojouno Kaguya stood before him, tilting her head slightly.
It seemed a breeze passed by, gently swaying Kaguya's black hair and the hem of her kimono.
She smiled lightly and said, "Do it."
Emiya swung the tachi, slashed down, and the creature in the bag no longer moved.
He seemed to see Kaguya's phantom, before disappearing, open her mouth.
As if saying, "That useless elf, thank you for taking care of her."
Ryuu's vision blurred with tears as she desperately called out for friend's name, "Kaguya..."
"Projection, begin (Trace on)."
Finally, a sword.
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