Luna suppressed her urge to run over and calmly observed her foster parents.

He hasn't changed at all since the last time she saw him.

However, it was clear to Luna, who could see the flow of magic, that the total amount of magic swirling within him was increasing with each meeting.

That power had reached a realm far surpassing ordinary adventurers.

Upon seeing that, Luna couldn't help but smile.

(...I can't lose either.)

A quiet competitive spirit ignites within her.

So that one day she can catch up to this incredible father and stand beside him.

Darius lowered the massive metal block he was carrying with a thud and then said, as if he had just remembered something.

"By the way, Aria came the other day, too. She was with that former knight commander, Baldus-san."

"It seems that way. That child... she can't let go of her parents, no matter how long it's been. I wonder if she caused you trouble?"

Seriously, she needs to get her act together.

Luna sighed with those feelings in mind and shrugged her shoulders, as if to say, "Oh dear."

Darius didn't seem to mind much, and he gave his usual cheerful laugh.

"Well, it might be a bit childish, but... as for me, I'm happy everyone comes to see me."

"No, you shouldn't spoil her too much. It's not good for Aria or Sofia, is it?"

Darius chuckled, saying, "I see, I see," and then reached out his large hand and gently patted Luna on the head.

"Anyway, welcome back, Luna. Thank you for coming all the way to see me. I'm happy."

"...Ugh."

(I'm so happy...! It's Darius-san's hand. It's big, rough, and gentle... B-but this isn't the time to be savoring it! I should pull myself together, self...!)

The sensation of Darius's large palm gently stroking her cheek made Luna's face flush with both embarrassment and happiness, and she looked down.

Whether he knew what was going through her mind or not, Darius continued his story.

"Oh yeah, I was in the dungeon, and the quality of the magic stones was pretty good. This dungeon might be a good one."

"Oh, I see."

"And there are some other unusual materials too..."

After saying this with his eyes shining, he is indeed a true magical blacksmith at heart.

"I will hear about that later. Today, I have someone I want to introduce."

"...Someone you want to introduce?"

Darius tensed for a moment, then turned his gaze toward the man behind Luna.

"...Are you the one over there? ...Um, what's the relationship between the two of you?"

"This is Aldo Vincent-san."

When Luna introduced him, Aldo stepped forward and bowed deeply.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Darius-dono. As you were just introduced, I am Aldo Vincent... and to put it bluntly, I was brought here because I would like to have a staff made for myself as well."

"...A staff?"

Hearing those words, Darius seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

(Darius-san, that relief just now... it seems like you misunderstood something at first, didn't you? What was it?)

Luna tilted her head, watching Darius and Aldo's behavior.

"Yes. The other day, I saw the staff that Director Luna was holding and was very impressed… Could you please make a magic staff for me as well?"

"Ah, I see... so that's how it was."

Since Darius seemed to be thinking for a moment, Luna opened her mouth to add something.

"Simply put, you know how Aria brought Baldus-san before? I was asked for an introduction in a similar way."

"I see... but is it really okay for something I made?"

"It's okay because it's Darius-san's."

She says it without hesitation.

There's no way anything in this world could surpass Darius's.

When Luna threw those words of trust at him, Darius scratched his head while looking embarrassed.

"I see... That, I have been prototyping various magic staves recently. If you find one you like among them, you are welcome to take it."

"Recently? Really? But I thought Darius-san often made weapons, didn't he?"

"Well, yeah. But if Luna asks me to make something new, I can't make something embarrassing, can I?"

"Hmm... I see."

(For me!? A new staff!? Oh my goodness! Darius-san cares about me that much... I'm so happy! As expected of Darius-san! You are the best!)

Luna remained calm but smiled slightly with a hint of happiness.

"That's right. Darius-san is really a dedicated student."

"Well, since my daughters are working hard, I can't lose. So, Aldo-san, it's fine to make it from scratch, but I have some prototypes in the warehouse first... Baldus-san also found one that suited him from there, so would you like to go take a look?"

"...By all means. If you are willing to show it, I would really be grateful."

"Yes, please. Come this way."

And so, the two of them were led to a building that had recently been added next to the workshop.

It seems they have decided to store the staff and such here, and while it's not exactly clean, they are organized.

Looking at the room like that, Luna was impressed.

"Darius-san tidying up... that's unusual."

"Well, my living space has gotten a bit cramped. I thought it would be a problem when everyone came over to visit."

At those words, Luna's heart warmed just a little.

Darius opened the door to the detached building and stepped inside.

Chapter 27