After leaving the Dungeon and returning safely to Orario, Ron's goal was very clear—turn the materials dropped from slaying the ancient dragon Lansseax into equipment.
Now that the familia's financial situation had improved significantly, then, as the captain of the familia, he needed to start considering other aspects—such as the safety of Daphne, Cassandra, and the others inside the Soulslike Dungeon.
The overall difficulty was right there.
With the 'Revival' skill he possessed, to be honest, he didn't need much in the way of defensive gear. He only needed to push his weapon to the highest possible grade.
But for the members of the familia,
high-quality armor could ensure that when they were attacked by Dungeon monsters, they wouldn't be instantly killed at the worst moment—it could keep them alive.
"That's the general situation."
"As we move into the Middle Floors, the Dungeon environment will only become more hostile. The scales dropped from the ancient dragon can be forged into quite a lot of armor."
"You can choose a smith yourselves and customize it according to your preferences."
"If you want better cost-effectiveness, I recommend going to Lady Hephaestus's weapon shop." Ron's gaze swept across the girls present.
Finally, he left the decision to Daphne.
"Is there really a difference?"
Back in the Apollo Familia, equipment was something each adventurer handled on their own. Daphne understood clearly—why Ron would bring this up at this moment.
The mutated Minotaur, the ancient dragon Lansseax, and they hadn't even reached the Middle Floors yet—the difficulty had already made Daphne feel pressured. The key issue was that the information she had about Dungeon monsters on each floor would soon become completely useless…
Forging higher-grade armor, at its core, was to avoid dying in the Dungeon. After all, not everyone had monstrous talent like Ron!
"There is."
"If you choose customization, you'll have to bear the cost yourself, and the armor will belong to you."
"If it's the other option, the familia will cover the cost."
"You'll only have the right to use the equipment."
This was the solution Ron arrived at after careful consideration.
Acting independently?
Perhaps in the Middle Floors, a same-day round trip would still be possible. But Dungeon exploration and expeditions would inevitably require going to the Lower Floors, or even the Deep Floors.
Just getting there would already take considerable time.
Not to mention carrying various daily supplies. The development of the familia was something he had to consider—since he chose to grow it, he naturally had to do it properly.
"The latter."
Even with raw materials, the valis required to forge them into equipment was far beyond what Daphne and Cassandra could afford.
As for the members' specific benefits…
Ron didn't mention it, but just the fact that they were exploring a Dungeon of this level of difficulty—high risk, yes, but absolutely an opportunity most adventurers could only dream of.
The familia would even provide armor for exploration.
At least in Daphne's eyes, the benefits already surpassed those of most familias in Orario. She probed indirectly: "Um… Captain Ron."
"If that's the case…"
"Will the familia's liquidity be affected?"
"…"
That was a good question.
After the War Game and the gamble, the money earned from Zanis alone had brought their current savings to nearly 100 million valis.
More than enough to forge armor.
Faced with Daphne's concern, Ron answered without the slightest hesitation: "Even if the money runs out, we can always find ways to earn more."
"But if you die in the Dungeon, that's a price no amount of valis can buy back."
"Safety—is always the first rule of Dungeon exploration!"
"…"
From those words, Daphne could clearly feel the captain's concern.
It was something she had never experienced in the Apollo Familia.
But… anyone could say something like that.
Except when it came from Ron—the very same person whose combat style in the Dungeon was completely reckless and fearless of death—it just felt… strange.
Daphne nodded, coming to terms with it: "Mm…"
"You're the captain. You're right."
But the gratitude she truly wanted to express, she couldn't bring herself to say out loud. Instead, she quietly kept that special care deep in her heart.
This guy… actually has a pretty good personality!
...
After arriving at the Hephaestus weapon shop, Mikoto, Daphne, and the others returned to the familia base first, leaving Ron alone to handle the equipment matters.
He didn't find Hestia in the shop.
It wasn't because the familia's improved finances had made her revert to her carefree heavenly lifestyle—rather, there were many familia-related matters she needed to handle.
Such as updating familia information, registering new members, and so on…
Dragging along the overstuffed supporter backpack, Ron made his way to the office with practiced ease. He knocked lightly on the door, and soon a mature, composed voice came from inside: "Come in."
However, when the red-haired woman with a black eyepatch over her left eye—exuding a mature charm—looked up and noticed Ron dragging his backpack and coming to her again on his own initiative, she showed no resistance.
Hephaestus stood up from the soft sofa. Her fitted white shirt perfectly outlined her graceful figure. Without giving Ron a chance to speak, her full red lips curved slightly.
"About…"
"The special staff you wanted to customize—it should be ready very soon!"
...
"Ron could affect the future of our familia?"
After hearing those words, Loki narrowed her eyes, looking at the usually calm and steady elven princess in surprise. Based on Riveria's personality, she would never casually say something like that.
The familia had grown to its current scale in Orario, and she didn't believe it was her own merit—it was purely the result of the children's continuous efforts.
Even though she was unwilling to admit it, the truth was that Ron's talent was indeed the most outstanding she had ever seen since arriving in Orario.
"It's not to the point of… affecting the future, right?"
"…"
If her guess wasn't wrong, the source of the Dungeon's "abnormal phenomenon" was Ron. Through the altered exploration environment and Floor Bosses, it was possible to accelerate the growth of ability values and the accumulation of great feats.
The overall strength of the Loki Familia could rise rapidly in a short period of time.
It was just…
Riveria hadn't figured out how to approach Ron about it.
Secretly prying into someone else's secrets—
let alone asking to explore the Dungeon together—might provoke his displeasure. Everything was uncertain.
Facing Loki's suspicious gaze, Riveria frowned slightly: "Does Lady Loki really think I would joke about something like this?"
"…"
Loki shook her head decisively.
If what Riveria said was true—if the secret Ron possessed could really affect the future of a familia—then how should they handle it?
They couldn't exactly imitate the Apollo Familia and initiate a War Game against that shorty, could they?
Even though she and Hestia often bickered,
such a despicable method was something Loki would never resort to.
Even if proposed, the other side could simply refuse outright due to the gap in strength.
Moreover, during that brief encounter at Apollo's banquet, even without direct interaction, Loki could already sense that Ron was the type who wouldn't act without sufficient benefit.
So, she chose to completely give up: "Even if Ron's secret could affect the future of our familia, this guy is still the captain of that shorty's familia…"
"What makes you think… that he'd be willing to help us?"
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