Posts from Rhemic Empire (2) Auto-translated

The young warrior was a little surprised by such an offer, but after thinking it over, he agreed.

-- Thank you, -- Tsukiko said sincerely. He's a great guy, in some ways similar to Taro, I guess. -- Just to clarify. This is not a deadly duel; that would be unwise of me. And I'm not just challenging you, although fighting the winner of the competition would be the greatest honor for me.
She challenges all the other participants in the competition, with the same clarifications (and thanks those who also helped her break out of the loop). In the case of Keiji, she says something different:
-- Keiji, hello. I want to say that I'm challenging the warriors of the Fortress to duels. Not deadly ones. I would like to challenge you too, but I don't know if your weapon is fixed. If not, we can postpone it. Although I could provide you with a spare weapon, but you won't be able to fight at full strength with it, and that would be dishonorable for me, even if I lose.

“As far as we know, Sana lived alone. Could you please provide us with her address? Perhaps you even have a duplicate key, just in case we need to visit?,” the Tanarian woman added after a moment. “Also, please don’t take this as a rude question, but is she present in any of these photos?” (magazines and a photo from the mustachioed man)

-- Keiji, hello. I want to say that I am challenging the Fortress warriors to duels. Non-lethal ones. I would like to challenge you too, but I don't know if your weapon is fixed. If not, we can postpone it. Although I would provide you with a spare weapon, but with it you won't be able to fight at full strength, and for me it would be a disgrace, even in case of my defeat.

— You know, I just can't figure out who you are – a rare fool or a lying snake hiding its true face. No, understand, I'm not trying to judge you, I even like the second option more, but don't you see it? What you are doing now, others will perceive as arrogance – this will not add to your respect. So what are you trying to achieve with this? To hone your skills in battles against others? Don't make me laugh. The stubborn inhabitants of our country are distinguished by a very rare complex of superiority, and therefore they will never admit it, but I, and any other unbiased person, can clearly see: your sword, although made of foreign steel and forged by foreigners, surpasses the Nihon weapons. Such a sword gives its owner such power that he himself does not possess. And that's great – it should be. But to compare your skills with others, having such an advantage... — Keiji shook his head from side to side and clicked his tongue. — As I said, you have to be either a fool or a liar. Who are you?

Added 3 minutes ago

— As far as we know, Sana lived alone. Could you write down her address for us? Perhaps you even have a duplicate key, in case of a visit? — a little later, the Tanarrian added, — Also, please don't take it as a rude question, is she in any of these photos (magazines and a photo from the mustachioed man)?

— Are you kidding me? — The Blacksmith waved away the magazines. — Of course not.
He wrote down the address, but he didn't have a key.

+109% to attack doesn't seem like much when compared to other bonuses.

— We apologize and thank you for your help.
Let's go to our friend's place.

Added 2 minutes ago
This deals +100-200 damage per attack. It's more useful against various Araid and agile creatures. 10% is better against various TIARIANS (and other opponents with 1000+ HP).

Before leaving, Altina asked the blacksmith about the places his daughter liked to visit. He replied: Olivia Park, the "Akeso" restaurant, and the idol academy in the Taehan district – she wanted to enroll there.

Let's go to a friend.

Azuria Fox's shift hadn't ended yet, so she was still at the store.

Tsukiko blushed intensely at these words, but tried not to show it, if possible. "He has such a sharp tongue. With a tongue like that, he doesn't need a katana."
-- Not only I possess an unusual weapon in the camp. In any case, whoever possesses such a weapon clearly earned it in the past. I can't force others to change their sword or whatever they fight with to something else; that would be strange... And I wouldn't do it myself. If I were to change weapons depending on the opponent, I would risk offending them even more. But, if you want, and only in that case, in a duel with you, we can take two identical Nihon katanas.

In the second game, there's still parrying! And you can improve the basic attack with regular weapons, plus my accuracy isn't that great.

“But if someone who possesses such skill bought it in a store with the money of their wealthy parents, does that make them a skilled master?” Keiji chuckled. “You’re throwing around excuses that no one asked for. But at least don’t deceive yourself.”

Throughout the conversation with the blacksmith, Elrina remained silent. She wasn't overly sentimental, but she didn't even want to imagine herself in the shoes of the person being given such terrible news, let alone a parent whose own child had possibly been brutally murdered in the city's sewers.
She and her own father had never been particularly close as a family, but even so, she remembered his death with a certain sense of loss. And even years after his passing, she still made an effort to occasionally visit his overgrown grave, which was modestly situated next to other family burial plots. Her mother had left her life too early for her to retain any memories of her, but according to her father and old servants, she was a proud and determined woman with high aristocratic principles. The latter seemed a little amusing to her, because now, years later, thanks to her daughter, their family had lost almost everything, leaving only formal titles that meant little in modern times.
Reflecting on her past life, Elrina once again asked herself how correct the path she had chosen was. Perhaps she shouldn't have resisted fate and simply gone with the flow? Had she ruined everything with her actions? Did she really want to save her family from ruin, or was she simply driven by a personal motive and a desire to prove her independence in every step she took? Lost in these thoughts, she didn't immediately notice that the group had left the blacksmith's shop.

– But what if he bought it with money earned from defeating a man who was once a powerful mage and the Emperor of Reima? In any case, I’ve told you why I can’t change weapons. Maybe you’re right, and I am a snake. You know, after certain events, I can’t be sure that my actions are right. I’m having… difficulties with that.
If he doesn’t comment, I’ll bow and go to Konomi.

— Good afternoon, it’s us again, — Alarii felt a little awkward visiting the store for the fourth time that day, — and we have a few more questions for you. You were a close friend of Sana Rintgton, weren’t you?

Ito Gen refuses. Tachiki Rikiya agrees. Matsuoaka Sakurai agrees. Namikawa Satoshi refuses. Ohara Konomi refuses. Fujiwara Eichiro agrees. Fukushiro Goemon refuses.

— Good afternoon, it's us again, — Alarii felt a little awkward visiting the store for the fourth time that day, — and we have a few more questions for you. You were a close friend of Sana Rintgton, weren't you?

— That's right.

In the second game, there's still parrying! And you can improve a simple attack with regular weapons, and my accuracy isn't very high either.

Well, with a specific style, the damage increase will be higher. I don't understand what accuracy has to do with it, though. But the second option definitely looks stronger, especially combined with "dance," against one or two opponents.

Added 1 minute ago
— When did you last see her?

— About a week ago, what about it?