Danmachi: Is It Wrong to Be the Main Character in Orario?

"This effect... is insane."

A Goblin Dagger was considered a third-tier weapon, yet with just the "Weapon Sharpening" enhancement, it could effortlessly slice through a second-tier weapon.

After feeling the blade's sharpness firsthand, Hephaestus was certain—the dagger now had the cutting power of a top-tier weapon.

And this was still just a Goblin Dagger.

The fact that a simple "Weapon Sharpening" rune could push a third-tier weapon all the way up to top-tier sharpness—it was a ridiculous leap in quality.

Bell, already expecting this outcome, wasn't too fazed. Instead, he brought up the real question.

"Hephaestus-sama, do you think 200,000 Valis is too much for one of these talismans?"

"Not at all."

Hephaestus truly didn't think the price was high.

A basic rune stone, paired with a simple weapon enhancement spell, could elevate a third-tier weapon to top-tier cutting power.

Pulling that off for just 200,000 Valis? That wasn't expensive.

It was a bargain.

"Letting a third-tier weapon reach top-tier sharpness for just 200,000 Valis? That's more than fair."

But Hephaestus quickly realized—this kind of talisman was a one-time use. So the next question was obvious.

"Bell, how long does the magic last?"

"I tested it. When the 'Weapon Sharpening' rune is used, the effect lasts about five minutes."

Five minutes. Hephaestus repeated the number in her head, then gave a thoughtful nod.

"That's reasonable."

Five minutes of top-tier sharpness for just 200,000 Valis was absolutely worth it.

Especially since the user could choose when to activate the rune. Even if the effect was brief, the advantage it offered was huge.

In fact, it could even turn the tide of a battle.

"Is it hard to make?"

"Not really. Talismans that only require a single rune character are easy. Once you're used to it, you can make dozens in a minute."

That really wasn't difficult.

Hephaestus's lips twitched slightly. Producing something this effective—at that speed—was more profitable than what her own Familia could manage.

And she could already tell: these rune stones were going to become hot commodities among the adventurers of Orario.

With an effect this powerful, even a basic third-tier weapon could match a top-tier one temporarily.

And that was just for third-tier gear.

What if someone used a rune like this on a first-tier weapon?

The result would be astronomical.

"Then raise the price. One million Valis per rune."

That's robbery!

Even Bell couldn't help but cry out internally when he heard the number.

After all, his production cost was practically nothing. Even ordinary rocks picked off the ground could serve as the base material.

In other words, the cost was nearly zero—and now, just by using his knowledge of Rune Letters, he'd be making a million Valis per piece.

"Hephaestus-sama, isn't that price a bit too high? Wouldn't it scare off buyers?"

"Bell, can the effect be enhanced any further?"

"Uh... are you asking about the weapon sharpening effect?"

"Yes."

Bell thought for a moment, then nodded with some hesitation.

"There is a stronger version. The upgraded weapon sharpening rune requires multiple characters to work together, and it takes significantly more time to make—but the effect is roughly three times stronger than the current version."

Three times!?

Hephaestus was stunned. Even doubling the effect would be incredible, but tripling it? Especially when it was already based on an enhanced sharpening effect.

Ordinary blacksmiths usually described weapon enhancements in small percentage gains. Bell talking about tripling the effect so casually—it was a little terrifying.

Sure, the crafting process became more complicated and time-consuming, but the end result was absurdly powerful.

"Alright then. Let's price the basic weapon sharpening rune at 500,000 Valis per piece, and the advanced version—ten runes for 3 million Valis."

It was a steep price, but the basic version's cost had been brought down a bit.

For many solo adventurers, 500,000 Valis might be a fortune. But for the major Familias, that was entirely within reach.

If the effect was strong enough, they'd definitely be willing to pay.

As for the advanced version, Bell didn't mind setting a high price. Those runes were complicated to make and clearly targeted at top-tier users, not just anyone.

...

"Bell, switch the materials for your talismans—use ores sourced from the Dungeon."

"That's fine... but Hephaestus-sama, I don't have access to those materials."

"I can supply them. In return, I want 30% of the profits."

Thirty percent? That low?

Bell paused, then glanced subtly at Goddess-sama behind him. A moment later, his expression eased.

But then, Bell shook his head.

"Hephaestus-sama, I think that's too little."

Hephaestus blinked in surprise.

Too little?

"Hephaestus-sama, I want all the rune materials to be provided by your Familia."

"And under certain conditions, I also want to keep my identity hidden."

"At the same time, I hope to build a deeper relationship with your Familia."

"I propose we split the profits fifty-fifty."

An extra 20%, just like that?

That was a full half of the profits.

Even Hephaestus couldn't help feeling a little envious—yet Bell was offering it up without hesitation.

And the reason? To deepen the bond between their two Familias.

He was clearly trying to tightly bind the Hestia Familia and the Hephaestus Familia together.

Hephaestus took a deep breath. She could feel it—Bell was doing this intentionally, to forge a long-term alliance.

That meant their Familias' relationship would be far from ordinary in the future.

If this had happened before, Hephaestus would have rejected it outright.

But now, with Bell showing more and more potential, she found herself reconsidering.

This partnership could greatly benefit her own Familia as well.

Especially since Bell was clearly someone destined for greatness—getting in early was a smart investment.

And most importantly, the other side of this deal was the Hestia Familia.

If it had been any other group, Hephaestus wouldn't have even entertained the thought.

But because it was Hestia's Familia—because it was Hestia—Hephaestus found herself thinking differently.

"Deal!"