Chapter 91

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Inside the forge, now buzzing with the atmosphere of work, Shirou stood in front of the large table. With complete focus, he began projecting each component of the bicycle one by one. The handlebars, the bike frame, the outer tire, the inner tube, the chain, the gears, the pedals, the saddle, and the grips. Each piece emerged in a glow of prana before slowly solidifying into its physical form.

"This is the handlebar," Shirou explained, holding the curved component firmly. "It's used to steer the bike." He placed it on the table and continued. "The frame is the main structure. This chain connects the pedals to the gears. And this..." Shirou carefully picked up a wheel. "The wheels and tires are the most important parts to make the bike move."

Standing beside him, Lefiya watched with curious blue eyes, marveling at how many parts were needed. "I never imagined that something that looks as simple as that could have so many components," she murmured, stroking her chin thoughtfully.

Shirou nodded, holding the bicycle chain while reflecting. "Metal parts like the handlebars, frame, and chain... I can probably forge them here. But some parts make me hesitant."

Lefiya tilted her head, her gaze attentive. "Is there a problem? If there's anything I can help with, just say the word," she offered sincerely.

Shirou picked up one of the tires and handed it to Lefiya. "See this? Is there anything like this material in Orario?" he asked, watching her expression as she examined the tire.

Lefiya ran her fingers along the surface of the outer tire, nodding slowly. "This part might exist. But..." She paused, pressing the soft inner tube. "This inflatable inner part... I've never seen anything like it. Is it really necessary?"

"Hmmm, it's crucial," Shirou replied, touching his chin as he pondered how to create the inner tube in Orario. "Without it, the bike won't be comfortable to use."

Lefiya furrowed her brows in thought, then suddenly stood up with determination. "I'll go out and visit the craftsman supply district. I'll ask around," she declared, carefully cradling the tire.

"Good," Shirou agreed, pointing to the table. "While you're at it, take this saddle and these grips too. If anyone can make them, it would be a huge help."

Lefiya nodded and grabbed the saddle and grips, her hands now full with all three items. Struggling to balance everything, she looked slightly flustered. Seeing this, Shirou sighed briefly before projecting a large bag, similar to the ones used by supporters.

"Use this," he said, handing the bag to her.

Lefiya opened the large bag and deftly placed the three items inside. But her brows furrowed as she noted its size, which seemed excessive for just a few small items. "Why do I need a bag this big?" she asked, puzzled.

Shirou glanced toward the remaining metal bars in the corner of the room. "While you're out, could you also pick up some extra metal bars? We'll definitely need more to forge the other components."

"Oh, alright!" Lefiya replied, her spirits lifted. She slung the bag over her shoulder confidently, then headed out with determination to support Shirou in completing their project.

Lefiya was just about to leave the forge when Shirou's urgent voice called out, "Wait, Lefiya!"

She stopped and turned, her light brown ponytail swaying slightly. "Eh? What is it, Shirou?" she asked, tilting her head in curiosity.

Shirou approached with a serious expression. "I just collected my payment a few days ago. If you need money to buy those materials, just take whatever you need from my drawer. It's in my room at Twilight Manor," he said firmly.

But Lefiya immediately waved her hand dismissively, shaking her head lightly. "Oh, don't worry about that. I have my own money. I can handle this," she replied with a small smile.

Shirou kept his gaze steady, then with a slightly pleading tone, said, "Lefiya, please. Consider it part of the production costs for our project. Use my money, okay?"

Lefiya paused, then sighed with a slightly amused smile. "Alright," she said, finally conceding. "But only 50%, okay? I'll cover the rest with my own money. After all, I have a 50% stake in the Faker company, don't I?" she teased, her eyes sparkling to lighten the mood.

Shirou, who had been serious moments ago, couldn't help but smile faintly at her joke. "In that case, don't forget to submit the financial report later, CFO Lefiya," he replied, playing along.

Lefiya chuckled softly, then resumed her journey to Twilight Manor. As she walked, she murmured quietly to herself, "He can be so serious about the smallest things, but that's part of his charm." With renewed enthusiasm, Lefiya marched toward her destination, ready to take on her small mission.

Carrying the large supporter bag that nearly covered half her petite frame, Lefiya carefully made her way to Twilight Manor. The load wasn't too heavy, but the bag's size was quite conspicuous. As she approached the manor's entrance, the creak of the large door opening from inside echoed, revealing two very familiar faces.

Tiona walked out, slinging Urga over her shoulder, while Tione followed, her kukris sheathed at her sides. Both of them looked ready for a major adventure. Tiona immediately greeted Lefiya cheerfully when she was spotted standing at the door.

"Wow, perfect timing, Lefiya!" Tiona exclaimed with a wide grin. "We're heading to the Dungeon, and you look totally ready to be our supporter!"

Lefiya quickly waved her hands in front of her, crossing her arms in an X to protest. "N-no, I can't! I'm on a super important secret mission!" she stammered, looking flustered as she tried to explain without giving away too much.

Tione narrowed her eyes, her smile turning into a mischievous smirk. "Oh, I know what your mission is. You're helping your crush, Shirou, aren't you?" she teased mercilessly.

"W-wh-wh-what?!" Lefiya stammered, her voice a full octave higher than usual. "I already told you, I don't like Shirou! You've misunderstood!" Her face turned crimson, the blush even reaching the tips of her pointed ears.

Tione chuckled, tugging on her twin sister's hand. "Alright, alright, let's not tease this lovebird anymore. Let's head out on our own."

"Fine, fine," Tiona replied with a laugh, following Tione toward the exit. But just before leaving, Tiona glanced back at Lefiya and gave her a wide grin and a thumbs-up.

Lefiya stood frozen at the doorway, the large bag in her hands feeling heavier than before. Do my feelings for Shirou really show that clearly? she wondered. Her face still burned as she resumed her steps toward her room, trying to ignore the relentless pounding of her heart.

Climbing the stairs to the second floor of Twilight Manor, Lefiya carried the oversized supporter bag slung over her shoulder. Once she reached her room, she opened the door to find her roommate, Elfie, lounging lazily on the top bunk of their shared bed. Elfie seemed engrossed in a novel, occasionally yawning as though time itself were crawling for her.

Glancing at the large bag Lefiya carried, Elfie lowered her book and let out a big yawn. "Lefiya, we just got back from an expedition. You're so eager to work. Aren't you tired?"

Lefiya offered a small smile and placed the bag on the floor. "If I enjoy something, I never think of it as work," she replied lightly, heading toward the wardrobe in the corner of the room.

Inside her wardrobe, a gray bow forged by Shirou the day before lay neatly stored. Lefiya glanced at it briefly before opening the drawer below and retrieving her wallet. She began filling it with coins from a pile of valis in the drawer.

"Two hundred and fifty thousand valis should be enough," Lefiya murmured, counting out the sum.

Elfie, still lounging on the top bunk, raised an eyebrow at the hefty amount. She said nothing, though, and returned her attention to her novel. Lefiya closed the drawer, tidied up the wardrobe, and left the room, ready to head next door to Shirou's room.

When Lefiya opened the unlocked door to Shirou's room, her eyes fell on the simple yet tidy space. She paused for a moment, taking in how the room no longer resembled the storage area it once was. Everything was well-organized, though sparse and devoid of decorations. The only notable feature was the battle gear hanging on the wall: a pair of daggers, simple armor, and the gray bow she had bought for Shirou when he first joined the Loki Familia.

A warmth spread through Lefiya's chest. Shirou appreciates everything I give him, no matter how simple or small. Even though his Magecraft could produce far better equipment, he still kept her gifts neatly stored, never discarding or neglecting them.

Lefiya stepped toward Shirou's wardrobe and carefully opened it. Inside, she found a heavy coin pouch. She quickly counted its contents, then decided to take 250,000 valis from it.

"Two hundred fifty thousand from here... combined with my money, that makes five hundred thousand valis. That should be enough to buy all the forging materials," she murmured, solidifying her resolve.

After double-checking everything, Lefiya left Shirou's room with newfound determination. She was ready to continue her important mission of helping Shirou create something they could both be proud of.

***

Lefiya walked through the bustling streets of Orario, the large supporter bag hanging from her shoulder. The midday sun cast a gentle warmth over the lively scene, where adventurers and locals moved about. Dressed in a simple shirt, Lefiya looked like any ordinary supporter. She felt at ease, confident that no one would recognize her as the "Thousand Elf," a title she had earned upon reaching Level 3 with her unique ability to replicate other elves' magic.

But that thought was quickly proven wrong.

"Thousand Elf! Thousand Elf!" a loud female voice called from behind her.

Lefiya stopped and turned, spotting a young elf with short pale green hair and bright blue eyes. The girl wore the distinctive green uniform of the Hostess of Fertility, instantly reminding Lefiya of the place where Shirou often worked part-time.

Dark blue eyes met light blue ones as Lefiya smiled kindly. "Yes? Can I help you?" she asked softly.

The girl gave a slight bow in greeting. "My name is Ryuu. I'm a colleague of Shirou Emiya at the Hostess of Fertility," she said, her voice calm but carrying a notable presence.

"Oh, so you're Ryuu," Lefiya replied, trying to recall how Shirou had occasionally mentioned the name. She gave a small nod. "Just call me Lefiya. If you're Shirou's friend, that makes you my friend too."

Ryuu returned the nod. "Thank you, Lefiya. In that case, may I entrust you with a message for Shirou?"

Lefiya smiled brightly. The chance to help Shirou was always something she welcomed. "Of course. What message do you want me to deliver?"

Ryuu's expression remained calm, but her tone carried a sharpness that was hard to ignore. "Please tell Shirou that he must repay his debt immediately. I'll be waiting at the usual spot every morning."

Lefiya blinked in surprise at the statement. Shirou... in debt? She couldn't imagine someone like Shirou having such a habit. A bit nervously, she offered, "Uh, in that case, let me pay it now instead. How much is it?"

However, Ryuu shook her head calmly. "It's not a monetary debt," she replied succinctly, leaving a hint of mystery in her tone. "Just make sure to pass along my message."

Before Lefiya could ask further, Ryuu gave a small nod of gratitude. "I appreciate it. Goodbye for now, Lefiya," she said before turning and walking away with quiet grace toward the restaurant where she worked.

Lefiya stood in place for a moment, still processing the strange encounter. A debt? But not money? What does she mean? With lingering confusion, she continued on her way, determined to relay the message to Shirou later.

After her brief conversation with Ryuu, Lefiya resumed her journey to the craftsmanship district of Orario. The large supporter bag slung across her back felt a bit cumbersome, but her determination remained strong. She decided to start her task with the simplest job: finding a craftsman who could make a saddle and handle grips to their specifications.

Arriving at the district, Lefiya stopped at a bustling corner filled with workshops and artisan shops. She opened her bag and took out a small saddle and a pair of handle grips that Shirou had previously projected. Staring at the items, Lefiya mused, So, this is for sitting on the bike comfortably, and these are for gripping the handlebars while running her fingers over the smooth texture of the handle grips.

Not wanting to waste time, Lefiya stepped into a leatherworking shop that appeared busy. Inside, animal hides of various types and colors hung neatly on the walls, and the distinct scent of leather filled the room. An elderly man wearing a worn apron greeted her from behind a workbench.

"How can I help you, young lady?" the man asked, his voice gruff but kind.

Lefiya nodded and placed the saddle and handle grips on the wooden table in front of him. "Could you make something like these? One saddle and a pair of handle grips."

The man raised an eyebrow, studying the items with evident curiosity. He picked up the small saddle, turning it over in his hands. "Hmm, this is quite small. What's it for, exactly?" he asked, then picked up the handle grips and inspected them closely. "And these? I've never seen anything like them before."

Lefiya offered a faint smile, avoiding giving too much away. "They're part of... a special project. The important thing is, can you make them?"

The man nodded slowly. "Of course. But I need to know, what kind of animal hide do you want these made from? I've got cowhide, deer hide, and even low-tier monster hides if you need something sturdier."

Before the man could finish speaking, Lefiya cut him off. "The best material you have. I want the result to be perfect," she replied firmly.

The man chuckled. "The best material, huh? That would mean high-quality deer hide with a special protective layer. But it won't be cheap. For everything, the cost is 80,000 valis. I'll need half up front. The rest you can pay when it's ready this evening."

Without hesitation, Lefiya nodded, reached into her wallet, and pulled out 40,000 valis, handing it to the man. "No problem. I'll be back this evening to pick it up," she said with a smile.

The man accepted the money, tucked it into a drawer, and nodded. "Alright, young lady. Your order will be ready on time."

Feeling relieved, Lefiya left the shop, the large supporter bag neatly slung back over her shoulders. Her steps felt light, her mind filled with thoughts of how their bicycle project would soon come to fruition. One task down, a few more to go, she murmured to herself as she continued on her way.

Outside the leatherworker's shop, Lefiya pulled out the outer and inner tires from her supporter bag. She looked at them with confusion. Where should I go to find a craftsman who can make something like this? she muttered, furrowing her brow.

She spent the afternoon wandering the craftsmanship district, visiting various shops and asking different artisans—from wheelwrights to rubber specialists and mechanical toolmakers. However, they all gave similar responses: "Sorry, we don't know how to make something like that," or "Never seen anything like it before." Each rejection made her steps feel heavier, and the sun began to dip westward, signaling the arrival of evening.

With weary steps, Lefiya finally decided to put the task on hold. Maybe I can continue this tomorrow, she thought to herself. Shifting her focus, she headed to a blacksmith's shop, hoping at least to purchase the iron rods they needed to forge other parts of the bicycle.

Inside the shop, the clanging of metal and the sharp scent of heated steel greeted her. Behind a large wooden counter stood a middle-aged dwarf woman with short gray hair and muscular arms. "Welcome! What can I do for you?" the dwarf greeted her in a heavy yet friendly voice.

Lefiya let out a long sigh before responding, "I'd like to order some iron rods… for a forging project."

The dwarf raised an eyebrow, looking a bit surprised. "An elf doing forging? That's a rare sight. Don't your kind usually prefer clean and elegant work?" she said with a small laugh, her tone more teasing than mocking.

"I'm helping a very dear friend," Lefiya replied honestly, though a faint blush crept onto her cheeks.

Hearing this, a warm smile spread across the dwarf's face. "I like that answer! Alright then, what kind of iron rods do you need?"

After specifying the materials, Lefiya hesitated before pulling out the tires she still held. "By the way… do you know of any craftsman around here who could make something like this?" she asked, handing over the outer and inner tires.

The dwarf took the items and examined them closely. She pressed the flexible inner tire gently, her curiosity piqued as she felt the air inside. "Huh, this thing… it feels like it's made from slime-like material. Very interesting. I might know someone who could try making it, but..." She paused, rubbing her chin with fingers smudged with iron dust.

"Who? Could you introduce me to them?" Lefiya asked, her excitement rekindled.

Instead, the dwarf gave her a knowing smile and said, "How about you try making it yourself? If you succeed, I bet your friend will appreciate it even more."

Lefiya froze for a moment, then unconsciously pictured Shirou's warm smile if she managed to create the tires on her own. She nodded resolutely. "Alright. I'll try," she said firmly. She carefully packed the tires back into her supporter bag, which was now much heavier after being loaded with the iron rods.

After paying a total of 100,000 valis for her purchases, Lefiya hoisted the heavy bag with great effort and exited the blacksmith's shop. This is going to be a challenge, but I won't give up, she muttered, trying to motivate herself. Shirou will definitely be proud.