The wind blew eastward and shadows were cast on the ground as the sun ran along the sky. A massive sword of stone was erected by the streets, people and carriages cirg around it, many admiring its grandeur as it stood proud and mighty.

  Click Click Click Click

  A series of clicks and ccks bobbed up and down in the air, dang hand in hand with the little fshes, capturing every memory and engraving it into a piece of paper. Smiles and giggles floated adrift the pce, a couple familiar figures standing merrily.

  Of course, such figures were her than Grey, Yuna, and Lisandra. They were now in front of one of the four swords of the Kingdom, the "Sword of Judgement", and just like the Sword of "Valor" from before, it was truly a sight to behold.

  "Hmm... This looks good. What do you think?" ［Grey］

  "Un! I think they came out good! Ah! This one's a little blurry..." ［Yuna］

  "Isn't that fine? I think they are still beautiful." ［Lisandra］

  "Mmn... Then I guess it's fine. We've taken a lot of photos anyway!" ［Yuna］

  It's been a few days since Grey and Yuna's duo matches, and today, they decided to take a break from dueling and explore the city for onow going around in all sorts of pces and taking a bunch of pictures as they enjoy themselves.

  With the colosseum and all, they have pletely fotten to go around the city. If it wasn't for Lisandra inviting and dragging them along, they would probably still be in a duel, fighting the colosseum and hearing the cheers of the crowd.

  It wasn't bad seeing the excitement of people all the while improving their skills with the sword, but taking a breather every on a while and enjoying life as it is was just as enjoyable, adding a bit of spi their monotonous schedule.

  "Lisa... Thanks..." ［Grey］

  "Hm? What for?" ［Lisandra］

  "For showing us around. I really appreciate it." ［Grey］

  A smile bloomed on Grey's face, and Yuna's soon after. It was only a simple thank you, but it was enough to make Lisandra's heart flutter in warmth and happiness. She couldn't help but smile, looking at the two.

  "Fufufu! It's nothing, I was also quite bored myself... Anyway, is anyone hungry? Why don't we try some Avalon specialty fruits?" ［Lisandra］

  "Ah! I would like to! Are they sweet?" ［Yuna］

  "Yes! They're very sweet! There's also some that are very sour and some that are a little bit minty. Should we try all of them?" ［Lisandra］

  "Un! I'm going to buy a bunch of them! Grey! Hurry up～!" ［Yuna］

  Excitement drawn on their faces, everyone headed to the nearby stalls and looked fraystone Kingdom's specialty fruits. And as one would expect from a tropiation, there was quite a lot of variety of fruits, filling the markets with life and color.

  There were the usual apples, es, bananas, watermelons, pineapples, and many more. However, just as mahe fruits Grey and Yuna had never seen before, some taking very on forms and shapes, and some looking like they e from a totally different p.

  Of course, with Grey's appraisal, he easily identified many of them, eyes filled with i and curiosity as he sed through them. It was still the first time he saw them, but he was already excited to see what recipes he could make with them.

  "Oh, Yhness! Are you here to buy some sapro berries again?"

  "Yes. And please give me some kiwano, red bananas, ma, and..." ［Lisandra］

  The Princess ordered and pointed, eyes swimmi and right as she tio lengthen her list. It wasn't the first time she had gone shopping by the market. In fact, she had gooo much, she was already familiar with the vendors.

  Grey and Yuna had already wit beforehand, but Lisandra really opur with the people despite being a princess. Not only was she bright and hardw, she was also down to earth. Such a perfect princess.

  "Mister, I'd also like to buy these... Do you have any more of these? I want to buy a little more if possible." ［Grey］

  "Oh! It would be a pleasure to serve Yhness. Please wait a moment, I will just check if I still have some stock."

  "Please doー oh! And while you're at it, I also get some alderine." ［Grey］

  "Grey, this ooo! They look delicious!" ［Yuna］

  Before long, Grey and Yuna joihe shopping spree, following Lisandra's lead and buying everything which caught their eyes, Yuna sampling some of them with a bright smile on her lovely face, filling her mouth with berries.

  And in a very Grey and Yuna-like fashion, they bought tons and tons as if they were for a big strey and Yuna's purchase was so big, the other nearby stalls o supply them with fruits as well, the vendors fused yet happy.

  The shopping spree tinued, and from left tht, they bought a mountain of fruits even Lisandra couldn't help but surprise. She already khey were quite the big eaters, but seeing them shop was still baffling... In a way... They were amazing.

  "Waah～! The lemon is so sweet! It feels like magic!" ［Yuna］

  "Yuna, why don't you taste something bitter as well?" ［Grey］

  "Oh? Would it work with bitter things too, Lisa?" ［Yuna］

  "Yes. As far as I'm aware, everything should taste sweet. I don't know about spies though. I have yet to try it." ［Lisandra］

  As they wandered around, they also ced upon some miracle berries. After eating one, everything Yuna tasted now became sweet. Even the sourest lemons were not a match, tasting sweet as dy.

  They tiheir stroll, Lisandra tinuing to guide them throughout the massive streets and narrow alleys. She khe city as if it was the back of her hands, taking them around every nook and y, showing them all sorts of shortcuts,

  The people chatting, the carriages passing by, the smokes rising into the sky, the city was full of vitality. Even the children were running around the streets, holding sticks in their hands and ag like they were the most valiant of swordsmen.

  "Prepare yourself, bandit! I will defeat you!"

  "No! I will be the oo defeat him! I'm the hero!"

  "Hahaha! I'm the greatest swordsman in the world!"

  They were still youhey were already dreaming big, waving their little sticks and pointing them towards each other as they pyed around. They hopped and they ran around the pce, ag as if they were gdiators in the colosseums.

  Of course, there were also adults watg them from a distance, making sure they didn't get themselves in trouble. Pying with sticks could be dangerous, after all. They could get themselves hurt if they get too rowdy for their own sakes.

  "Kids! Don't run too fast! Yoing to fall again!"

  "Kyaa～! The demon lord is chasing us!"

  "Hurry! The dragons are ing! I know a secret passage!"

  Their imagination was active as one be, Grey, Yuna, and Lisandra couldn't help but ugh softly and warmly at their words and as. Before long, they vanished from sight, their voices fading away soon after.

  Time passed and the sed bell of the day rang. The three headed towards shops a many, buying all sorts of things for the uping ball. Of course, it wasn't like any ball they attended before, it was a masquerade ball!

  Not only dresses and suits, Lisandra also helped the two buy some beautiful masks to fit themselves. There were ones shaped like butterflies, ones with feathers, ones with gold engravings, ones shaped like beasts and many more. There were a lot of them to pick from.

  "What about this, Yuna? I think bck would suit you. It serves as a nice trast with your silver hair." ［Lisandra］

  "I'm usually wearing blue or white... Would bck really suit me?" ［Yuna］

  "Why don't we give it a try? It's also o see you ge your style every now and then. I'm sure you would look beautiful in it." ［Grey］

  "Oh, you... Fine, I'll give it a try." ［Yuna］

  The idiot couple was flirty as usual. Though not as sweet and sappy as they usually are sihe princess was around, they were still sweet enough that ants might start crawling at any given moment, like butterflies attracted to ar.

  Yuna soon headed to the dressing room and brought the dress, the heels, and the mask with her. At the same time, Lisandra also took off on her own and dressed herself up just like Yuna. She may be tomboyish, but she was still a girl. Wanting to be beautiful was only natural.

  "Hmm... This is quite nice... This ooo... Should I get these both?" ［Grey］

  As frey, he simply tried out all sorts of masks, seeing whie would fit him the best. It was his first masquerade ball so he was quite excited to try them out, just like a little child who just found a new game to py.

  "Umm... Grey, what do you think?" ［Yuna］

  And just as he pyed around to his heart's tent, a lovely and familiar voice rang from behind. As he turned around, a blinding dazzle greeted his eyes, his excitement fading away as he froze like a statue. A goddess has desded before him.

  A pure bck dress with a semi-transparent floral design along with matg evening gloves made with sheer fabrid a shawl draping from both her arms and her back. There were no frills nor ribbons like usual, only thin and smooth fabric which flowed like water, fluttering in the wind.

  She wore dark heels which shone like the night sky, had her plump lips tinted a bold red color and her hair braided twice, showing off her pointy elven ears. Lastly, there was the bck mask, trasting her silver hair, a single eboher dazzling like bck diamonds uhe starlight.

  Grey had already fallen far too deep in the abyss called love, but seeing her like that, he once again firmed how much of a fool he was, and also how lucky he was. The young dy in front of her, his fiaruly was a goddess.

  "I k... Pure colors really suit you more..." ［Grey］

  "E-Eh?! Is it that bad?!" ［Yuna］

  "No, that's not it... If you go in the ball looking like that... I'm afraid all men would keep staring at you. It's too inviting... is what I meant to say..." ［Grey］

  "I-I see... The's keep this for ter..." ［Yuna］

  "For ter"... One could only guess and specute what such words meant. The young dy might just have muttered it out of paniaybe there really is something more into it. Only time tell and only the two would know.

  "Hey, I'm doneー Oh? Did something happen?" ［Lisandra］

  ""No... Nothing..."" ［Grey and Yuna］

  Faces beet red and flustered, everyone tiheir shopping spree and bought all sorts of things. From the things they would be needing at the ball all the way to the small tris and accessories they could use ter down the lihey made sure to not promise, getting what they could get.

  The winds blew over the city and the soft chimes rang in the air once more. After their shopping spree, they once again headed out to the streets, weled back by the soft sunlight as the sun tio climb up the horizon.

  "Mmn... There sure are more and more people ing in, huh..." ［Yuna］

  They soon arrived in front of the gates, watg crowds and carriages pour in like an unstoppable flood. It was even busier thahey first came to Avalon, people of all races and nationalities ing from all dires.

  "Well, there are a lot of events happening, after all. It's not just the ival of Swords, there's also the opening of the Labyrinth of Stars." ［Grey］

  "And it will only get more crowded from here onwards." ［Lisandra］

  "I see that happening..." ［Grey］

  "Mmn... Just like the Labyrinth of Death st time... I wonder how many of the partits will be swordsmen..." ［Yuna］

  With the uping opening of the Labyrinth, more and more kinds of people are drawn towards Avalon. From mages to warriors, and even users of special magics such as healers, summoners, and many more.

  Even then, no matter how varied and many they were, they couldn't beat the number of swordsme in Avalon. In fact, with all other csses of warriors and mages bihey aren't even a third of the whole popution. plete domination.

  And as one would expect, there were also a number of powerful people as well. Just the number of High-Rankers have reached double digits. The events would surely be a show to behold. They 't help but look forward to it.

  "I'm sure a lot of them will be... Oh! And speaking of swords, I just remembered something. Would you care if we take a quick turnaround?" ［Lisandra］

  "Hm? Are we going somewhere?" ［Yuna］

  "Yes. I have something I o che." ［Lisandra］

  There was no time to waste. With Lisandra on the lead, their feet started to do stride after stride, heading ihe alleyways for a quick shortcut and crossing the streets time and time again, running around a plex route.

  Yet surprisingly, no matter how plex their twists and turns were, they still arrived at their destination, and several minutes earlier to boot. The Princess really is a master of the streets, navigating them as if it was nobody's business.

  Their destination was her than an equipment store, and by that, ohat sells swords and swords mostly. It was aablishment as massive as the guild, and just as grand, ers ing in and out without a break.

  "Grey, Yuna, what are you standing there for? Let's head inside!" ［Lisandra］

  It wasn't just any normal equipment store, it was the biggest in the Kingdom. A store supplied by the biggest smithies and the biggest boratories. If orying to get the best equipment and items for themselves, it was the best pce to go.

  And just as expected, the interior was just as grand as the exterior, swords of all shapes and sizes dispyed by the walls and on dispy cases, a ton of knights and adventurers looking at them, pting ever so seriously.

  As for their grades, they were pretty varied, ranging from Middle to Superirade, prices ranging from a couple thousand all the way to millions, items getting more and more expehe higher the floor was.

  "Ohh～! Should we take Liz here some other time, Grey? I'm sure she'll love it." ［Yuna］

  "We could just make one for her, you know?" ［Grey］

  "True, but! Looking around wouldn't hurt, would it?" ［Yuna］

  It hasn't even been a minute sihey went i Grey and Yuna were already sucked ihe world of equipment, talking about all sorts of things as they looked at the many swords dispyed all over the pce.

  They may not be swordsmen themselves, but they still knew many of them who were. Eliza especially came to mind since her current equipment was still High-Grade. It is about time that she gets an upgrade.

  "Grey, Yuna, would you like to take a look around first?" ［Lisandra］

  "Nah... We do that ter. Let's just finish your business first." ［Grey］

  "Thank you." ［Lisandra］

  But they weren't there to look at the dispy items. Lisandra just ighem and headed straight towards the reception desk. Just like how she khe streets, she also khe yout of the store, not making any unnecessary turns.

  "Hello. Is Lord Orden avaible right now?" ［Lisandra］

  "Oh, Yhness. It's a pleasure to meet you this lovely m. However... about your question... I'm afraid he's still busy at the moment."

  "How about Lady Holly?" ［Lisandra］

  "She also has a long list of orders right now. It may take them a while before they are avaible. I truly apologize, Yhness."

  The Princess asked a couple more times, but the receptionist kept on shaking her head. All the top bcksmiths of the try were busy with the upis, all their slots now filled with orders from a mountain of people.

  Lisandra may be royalty, but that doesn't mean she could get everything she wao. Well, if she uses her authority as a royal, she might get things a lot easier. Still, there are limits to what she could do.

  And right now, Lisandra really wao get her sword with her own power. Be it the money she will pay with or the patience she o endure, everything was a fruit of her hard earned efforts. Even her current sword was one she earned herself.

  "Should I make an appoi under your name, Yhness?"

  "No. That would only make things more difficult for them... Ah. If they're avaible, you send a message to the Royal Castle? Address it to me,"［Lisandra］

  "Yes. We would surely do so."

  "Thank you. That is much appreciated." ［Lisandra］

  It was a disappointing trip, and it wasn't the first. With the approach of the ival of Swords, Lisandra thought of buying a new sword for herself even when she 't join. Unluckily, the same thoughts also ran in everyone's minds, spots then quickly taken.

  It has been weeks since she's been waitihere was still no fruition. With the way things are, she would surely not be able to get a sword for herself before the ival of swords. She could only walk away with her head hanging down.

  "Hm? Are you looking for a new sword to be made, Lisa? You could have just asked me, you know?" ［Grey］

  "Eh? You're also a bcksmith, Grey?" ［Lisandra］

  "Yeah. I might not look it, but I'm quite fident in my skills," ［Grey］

  But not all hope was lost. Fortunately for Lisandra, there just so happens a petent bcksmith beside her. And not just any bcksmith you find in the alleys, but one who was amongst the best there ever was.

  Nontly, Grey took his Bcksmith Guild Card out of his "Iory" and showed it to the princess. And her rea was as follows...

  "T-Tier 8?! Grey, you're a Grandmaster?!" ［Lisandra］

  She couldn't believe it. After all, there are only about a dozen of such bcksmiths around the world, sed only to "Legendary" Bcksmiths in the current world. Even Graystone only has two Tier-7 "Master" Bcksmiths. Grey was inparable.

  Lisandra couldn't believe her eyes, but there was no reason frey to lie to her. In the first pce, him being an S-ranker was already unbelievable. What was strao the others seems to be the norm for him and Yuna.

  "Right, I'm also a Tier-8 Enter so I could ent it while I'm at it. Also, Yuna's a Tier-8 Alchemist. You ask her if you need some items," ［Grey］

  "Un! Don't be shy, Lisa! You ask anytime you want! Ah! But I still 't do any Legendary-Grade potions though. It might take a while before that." ［Yuna］

  It was the first time she heard people talk about such valuable items as if they were just some on household items, nont as be. Now, she is vihat the two really weren't, in any way, normal.

  "So, what do you think? Should we make one for you?" ［Grey］

  "Y-Yes! I will be ting on you!" ［Lisandra］

  However, there was o hesitate. Grey and Yuna already did their part aeheir hands towards her. It was now up to her to take their hands and trust their abilities. She was fully fident they could do it.

  Lisandra quickly accepted Grey and Yuna's offer and gave them what kind of sword she wahere was no need for bothersome measurements. Grey's eyes already got a grasp of her body and hands' proportions, knowing what would fit her well.

  Of course, as Lisandra's personality would dictate it, it won't be a present from friend to friend, but a ission from a er to a producer. She would be paying for her equipment with the money she earned from the colosseums.

  "Then that would be a High-Grade, Mid-Tier Falnov Longsword, ented with light weight and sharpness. Is that right, Lisa?" ［Grey］

  "Yes! That's right! And here's the down payment," ［Lisandra］

  "Alright. 200 thousand kiels received... Please look forward to it." ［Grey］

  The transa was soon rey and Lisandra signing a tract for formality's sake. The princess who was down in the dumps before was now smiling brightly, a strong sense of excitement welling up in her heart.

  With the urgent things now over, they tiheir stroll and headed to all sorts of pces, Lisandra smiling even more than before. They then headed towards the city museumー or so they were supposed to.

  "Hey! I heard there's a limited edition dish at the 'White Nightioday! They say it tastes like heaven! I really want to taste it!"

  "Dream on, man. You know how expehe dishes there are."

  "Shut up. What's wrong with dreaming?"

  They halted their steps as soon as they heard such words. And by "they", it meant "Yuna", her pointy ears twitg again and again as she tio listen, soon looking at Grey with sparkly eyes.

  Grey didn't eveo ask what she was going to ask of him. The words "Let's eat there, please～!" was already painted on Yuna's face. Sometimes, he woo himself why he fell in love with her.

  "Haah... Everyone, why don't we have lunch first?" ［Grey］

  "Grey, you're the best!" ［Yuna］

  CHAPTER 310 END