Anya's eyes immediately sparkled as she looked at the brand-new, shiny gold coins in the money pouch, and Lefiya beside her also revealed a surprised expression.
These were the gains from the past two adventures. The magic stones collected during the adventures were all handed over to the Guild for recovery, while the drop items were directly purchased with priority by the Hephaestus Familia. Of course, the transactions were conducted at reasonable prices, even slightly higher than market value.
"As per the previously agreed contract," Lunoire took out a record and began distributing, "I, Emiya, Anya, and Chloe each take ten percent, Lefiya takes five percent, Haruhime and Mikoto each take two point five percent."
Because Mikoto only participated in one adventure, her earnings were slightly reduced, only two percent.
However, even this two percent, for Mikoto who was used to a frugal life, was an astronomical income. When she learned the amount she was allocated, she even felt a trace of trepidation.
Fifty percent of the earnings was the basic division, directly distributed according to the level and strength of each member, with Emiya regarded as Lv.4. The remaining earnings were distributed in a special manner.
Among them, twenty percent was the "bonus fund," distributed based on contributions made during the adventure. This both ensured basic fairness and encouraged everyone to perform well in adventures.
The final thirty percent was the team's communal funds, used for purchasing potions, equipment maintenance, and other related expenses.
"This adventure, we really made a huge profit," Lunoire sighed emotionally.
This time their team's harvest was extremely rich. Just the high-level spoils included the magic stone and drop item [Sharp Blade] of the enhanced Mantis, the massive magic stone and drop item [Goliath's Fang] of Goliath, the drop item [Red Feather] of the enhanced Firebird, and the drop item [Dark Wood Thorn (Reverse Scale)] of the enhanced Tree Dragon.
Unfortunately, the magic stones of the latter two enhanced monsters were shattered during battle, otherwise, the profit would have been even higher.
Of course, this time was a special case. The profit from slaying three enhanced types was simply too bountiful.
Enhanced-type monsters were extremely dangerous, but their high probability of dropping "drop items" made them hidden treasures.
Normal adventures weren't always so "lucky," and it was unlikely to earn this much. However, with their team's efficiency, the income would certainly far exceed that of ordinary adventurers.
"Should we take the money now or have it deposited into accounts?", Emiya asked.
Anya tilted her head, "Hmm~ Only by seeing tangible valis can I feel true happiness, nya… That said, better to deposit it into the account."
Orario had yet to develop a perfect banking system, but several large production-type Familias and the Guild had their own "vaults" where accounts could be opened for valis deposits and withdrawals.
Naturally, the girls chose to open accounts with the Hephaestus Familia.
"But thinking that a third of this money will immediately leave the cat, it hurts so much, nya,"bChloe sighed.
Anya, Lunoire, and Chloe, one-third of their expedition income was directly taken to repay the debts from purchasing equipment before.
Their situation was like so-called "house slaves" in another world, bearing massive loans, except they were "equipment slaves."
Fortunately, the interest on this loan was waived by the Hephaestus Familia.
Actually, Emiya didn't lack this valis, and even waiving their debts would have been a mere word for him.
However, the girls firmly refused this. At least Anya and Lunoire were very clear in attitude. They didn't want to owe favors and preferred to repay through their own efforts.
As for Chloe, she actually very much wanted the debt waived, even dreamed of being directly supported by the rich boy… But seeing her companions so full of pride, she was too embarrassed to bring it up.
As for Haruhime, who also bore a huge debt, she felt no psychological burden and maintained a relaxed mindset.
'These are the husband's pocket money secretly given to the concubine (even though the wife doesn't exist),' Thinking this, the little fox couldn't help showing a blissful expression.
——_
The next morning, the air was filled with a fresh scent. Riveria held Ais' hand, walking toward the Hephaestus Familia's base.
Today, Riveria wore a long black dress, with a light shawl over it, giving a calm and untouchable feeling. The shawl fluttered slightly with her steps, like a night-blooming cereus in the darkness.
Ais still wore her usual easy-to-move-in white swordswoman attire, with her familiar longsword at her waist.
Being led by Riveria by the hand, walking beside the elf princess, she looked like a daughter being taken to school by her mother.
Soon, they arrived at the Hephaestus Familia's base. Upon seeing Emiya, Riveria exchanged a few pleasantries before starting to talk about recent matters. The topic quickly shifted to the enslaved elves they had previously rescued.
"Negotiations are still ongoing. Those children have three general choices for the future. One is to accept compensation from the Rakia Kingdom and settle in an elven forest, returning to their natural world," Riveria said.
"The second is not returning to the forest but settling in a human city. They must live in the city for at least ten years to receive more compensation."
"The third option is to stay in Orario and become adventurers."
The proportion of elves choosing to become adventurers was not high. After all, not everyone could endure the dangerous and tense life of adventurers.
Elves naturally admired peace and nature, and most longed for a tranquil life.
Among those who chose to become adventurers, although they all had some magical talent, not everyone met the standards of the Loki Familia.
After selection, the Loki Familia picked a few girls with the most outstanding talent. Freya Familia's Hedin also preemptively chose some elves who met his standards.
As for the remaining elves, they were free to choose other Familias to find suitable homes.
Even though these elves didn't meet Loki Familia's requirements, they still possessed strong magical talent and potential, traits that made them very welcome in other major Familias.
As long as they were elves, generally they wouldn't have trouble finding a place.
As for the rescued beastmen, dwarves, and Amazons, the proportion choosing to become adventurers was relatively higher.
"Riveria, how's your body doing since then?", Emiya asked, referring to the time Riveria fainted after putting on that crown.
Riveria nodded slightly, her expression soft, "Mm, it's fine now. Actually, it wasn't a big issue then…"
When mentioning that crown, her cheeks flushed slightly.
That [Tiara of Avalon] was simply too luxurious and eye-catching, not suitable for everyday, informal occasions.
But in her own room, she often couldn't help taking it out and standing in front of the mirror wearing it.
Ais obediently stood beside Riveria, lightly tugging at her skirt, occasionally fiddling with the hem. She tilted her ear, listening to the conversation between the two, half-understanding.
"Riveria (Mom) and Emiya (Master), why are they talking so happily…", She murmured quietly to herself, her tone carrying a bit of confusion.
'Also, Riveria's expression… is a bit different from usual,' Ais silently thought, 'How to describe it? Gentler? More elegant? Doesn't quite fit. Maybe… more radiant?'
"Well then, I'll leave Ais to you, Shirou," Riveria said softly.
After saying that, at an angle Ais couldn't see, Riveria quietly extended her slender fingers and gently pinched Emiya's hand.
Emiya calmly held her hand back, causing the elven princess to momentarily panic, her fingers trembling slightly, and her cheeks faintly flushing.
Just then, little Ais turned her head to look at them, and Emiya let go. Ais didn't notice anything.
Riveria glared at him, seemingly intending to scold, but her gaze held no real anger, instead, it looked more like helpless flirting.
Emiya softly explained, "Sorry, my hand… moved on its own."
Riveria snorted lightly, seemingly unconvinced by his excuse, but the corners of her lips slightly curved in a barely noticeable smile.
Little Ais: "Riveria, how long are we going to stand at the door? I want to practice sword."
———
In the training ground, Emiya said to Ais, "Ais, next we will warm up a bit, then proceed to practical training. Your swordsmanship is already very strong. If you want to improve further, only through actual combat can you break through your own bottleneck."
Ais nodded with a determined look in her eyes, tightly gripping the sword in her hand, clearly already prepared.
Emiya then looked toward Lefiya, who was standing to the side, "As for you, Lefiya, please practice basic movements on your own first, alright?"
The elven girl's voice carried a bit of excitement, "Yes!"
Today, Lefiya had also come, and even earlier than Ais. As Emiya's adventuring companion, this was not her first time coming here to train.
Unlike Ais, who was a swordsmanship master by nature, Lefiya was a complete blank slate in swordsmanship and melee combat. What she practiced with Emiya were merely the most basic sword techniques.
Ais saw Lefiya standing in a corner of the training ground, and a trace of light flashed in her eyes. A rare smile appeared on her face.
As the eldest disciple of the "Emiya Dojo" (though that was only her own belief), little Ais seemed very happy to see that she now had a "junior fellow student."
As for Lefiya, her inner excitement was even more obvious, 'To think I can train with Miss Ais today, I must be really lucky.'
Ais had always been Lefiya's object of admiration. The appearance and demeanor of the [Sword Princess] matched the elven girl's aesthetic more than the [White Witch] Filvis.
Because Ais was present, every movement of Lefiya swinging the training bamboo sword became especially serious.
Her gaze would occasionally glance toward Ais, silently cheering herself on in her heart.
On the other side, Emiya and Ais were doing warm-ups. They swung their swords again and again, repeating the basic action of "sword swinging" over a hundred times, until their bodies were fully warmed up.
After the warm-up ended, Emiya looked at Ais, "Alright, the warm-up is over. Let's begin the real sparring now."
"Trace on."
As the words fell, black and white twin swords appeared in his hands, [Kanshou and Bakuya].
"Miss Ais, next please come at me with full effort. Of course, full effort in terms of technique. If you go all-out with your abilities and magic... I wouldn't be able to withstand that kind of power," Emiya said half-jokingly.
———
Ais's golden long hair fluttered with her movements during the battle. She stared intently at Emiya in front of her, the longsword in her hand thrusting out at extreme speed, the blade drawing a sharp arc through the air, aiming straight for Emiya's chest.
Emiya stood steadily in place, skillfully adjusting his angle, dodging Ais's attack with the smallest possible movement.
The black sword [Kanshou] gently tapped, precisely striking the side of Ais's longsword, causing the originally swift strike to lose balance and veer to the side.
Ais did not pause, quickly adjusted her steps, and suddenly slashed, carrying a powerful momentum as if to push Emiya back with one blow.
However, Emiya still calmly responded. The white sword [Bakuya] lifted lightly, its blade slicing through the air and striking the middle of Ais's longsword at a tricky angle, easily neutralizing her strength.
A faint restlessness rose in Ais's heart. Her level was Lv.5, holding an absolute advantage over Emiya's Lv.3. Although she hadn't used magic, and the sword techniques she displayed focused more on skill than raw power or speed, in theory, she should still be holding the upper hand.
However, every sword strike was neutralized by Emiya in the simplest way.
Whether it was a thrust or a slash, her sword was always blocked by those alternating black and white blades of his, or narrowly dodged at the last moment.
Emiya never initiated an attack, only steadily responded to Ais's waves of offense. His gaze was steady, his expression calm. Every defense dissolved Ais's attack with the smallest possible motion, as if in his eyes, every movement of the girl had already been seen through.
Ais's sword raged like a storm, attacking continuously. Slashes, thrusts, sweeps, upward cuts... she tried to break Emiya's defense by changing angles and rhythm.
However, no matter how she changed, Emiya always found a way to respond, using his steady swordsmanship to easily dismantle her offense.
Each defused attack made the unease in Ais's heart grow stronger. She gripped the hilt of her sword tightly, her breathing becoming slightly rapid.
She even started to feel the urge to use magic, if she activated [Ariel], her speed and power would increase dramatically, her stats would completely overpower Emiya's, and she could break this deadlock. But she immediately realized, activating magic might suppress Emiya, but it would defeat the purpose of training swordsmanship.
Emiya clearly also noticed Ais's emotional fluctuations. A flash of cold light passed through his eyes, but he didn't speak, only continued to respond to Ais's attacks with the same rhythm.
At that moment, Ais suddenly felt something wrong with her sword momentum. In the course of continuous attacks, due to emotional disturbance, her movements became deformed, impatient and imprecise, and openings began to appear.
As one of Ais's upward sword swings failed to retract in time, Emiya keenly sensed this brief moment of weakness and immediately launched a counterattack.
Emiya leaned forward, his tempo suddenly changed. The black and white twin swords seemed to become one, simultaneously pressing down on Ais's sword.
His swordsmanship was sharp and precise. The black and white twin swords interwove, targeting the middle of Ais's sword with oppressive strength and exquisite control, forcing her to retreat.
If this were a match between people of the same level, Ais's sword would have long since failed to withstand this force and been sent flying.
Emiya's twin swords pressed down on Ais's sword, emitting a low metallic grinding sound. Ais, on the other hand, gripped her sword tightly, her breathing deep and steady.
In that instant, Emiya suddenly changed his fighting style and made a special move. His black and white twin swords crossed in the air and were then directly thrown out by him.
A flash of surprise appeared in Ais's eyes. She could only catch a glimpse of the two swords flying in arcs behind her, seemingly slicing past from either side. At this point, she was no longer able to turn around to respond, and could only react based on instinct.
[Triple Linked Crane Wings]
Emiya's move was like two unfolding crane wings, the black and white twin swords tracing elegant arcs toward Ais's back.
At the moment the trajectory of the black and white twin swords was disrupted, Emiya once again projected Kanshou and Bakuya. The Bakuya in his hand spun and flew out, while Kanshou remained in his grip as he launched a sudden assault toward Ais.
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