Previous post: Jack of all Trades – 57

POSTED 1 HOUR AGO

Armor Store, At Last

The sandwiches contained a great combination or fried eggs, bacon and lettuce . We knew that we would definitely be visiting this place again as we left our seats .

“We should get going then . ”

I say as I put the change in a leather bag . Daniela’s hand was on her stomach as if to show her dissatisfaction, but then she remembered that she was trying to be ladylike today, and so she nodded .

As it was midday, many people from around town were now gathering towards the wide streets and looking for places to eat . We walked together, hand in hand…for the purpose of not losing each other .

“I feel a little bashful . ”

“I as well . I have not held a person’s hand and walked since the time I took walks with my father…”

Daniela said, which put us in a sentimental mood . Her parents, huh . I wish I could have met them…

“Hey, Daniela . ”

“Mm? What is it?”

“Um, are there tombstones in your homeland? For your parents . ”

Daniela looked up into the sky, as far as she could see and answered .

“Aye, I built it for them on the land that our house once stood . But I have not returned since then, and I do not know what has happened to it…”

“I see… Then, once things get settled, I have to go and introduce myself . ”

“Thank you…Asagi . ”

She squeezed my hand tightly and smiled . I smiled and squeezed her hand back . The town was alive and clamorous, but we felt as if our time together was calm and gentle .

The Paw Clothes and Accessories Shop faced a large road, but we went through a back alley to reach the Paw Armor Shop on the other side . We let go of each other’s hands once we were inside . It would be the worst if we accidentally b.u.mped into and damaged any of the armor here .

“Welcome! Welcome to the Paw Armor Shop!”

A familiar voice rang from the back .

“h.e.l.lo . ”

“Ahh, it is you . Do not worry, I have set your armor aside for you!”

He would have h.e.l.l to pay if he hadn’t . I would go berserk . I would .

“I came because I have enough money now . ”

I said as I handed over a leather bag containing the sixty gold pieces that I got from Harold’s wyvern materials, plus five gold pieces I got from the reward that was shared between Rex and the other men .  Praise the wyverns! Amen .

“But it has only been a few days… What did you do?”

“A little wyvern hunting . ”

“No, then this ‘Silvergreen’ who slew two wyverns alone must be…?”

I did not solo two wyverns! That’s an insane exaggeration!

“Even killing one is impressive enough . ”

“I just dealt the finis.h.i.+ng blow to a wyvern that was already heavily wounded . ”

“Oh, how modest!”

He clearly didn’t believe me… Ah, well . This was a pointless conversation anyway . Just give me my lovely armor set!

“Well, allow me to take you to it, Silvergreen . ”

“Could we not do that?”

We were led to the back of the store . Well, not too far back, as then we would just come into the clothing store on the other side . My armor was set up on a wooden mannequin-like block of wood . But something was different from before . There was a waistcloth . Complete with embroidery .

“What is this cape-like thing?”

“Ahh, this . When I put it all together here, my wife…who, uh, happens to own the clothing store on the other side, she says that it ‘looks unbalanced . ’ And so created this cape out of extra wind dragon cloth in one night . Oh, you can consider it a bonus . It is not as if you requested it, after all . Also, it is going to be worn by Silvergreen himself!”

Ahh… Well, he was probably right . It would be a nicer silhouette to have cloth come down under the waist to match the poncho that would hang from my shoulders . An old friend called Yasuda had once told me that ‘Character designs needed a great silhouette . ’ However, what about utility?

“There should be no problem in terms of your movement . And this waist mantle should strengthen the potency of your wind magic even further . There are no AGI enchantments, as we did not have enough time . But we could request that it be done . If you can pay the price for it . ”

“Request? So you can ask someone to do it?”

“Yes . In truth, this price is more of an intermediary fee . You see, Enchanters do not accept private requests, and so this is the only way to go about it . ”

I see . It was a type of magic that would be in high demand, by keeping the door narrow, they could maintain a certain value . Very smart .

But it seemed like it would take some time . I wasn’t really sure, but I had a decent military budget thanks to lord wyvern . Being cheap on my first investment in armor could have grave consequences as well . It would probably be wise to just do it .

“Then I will request it . And I will pay for it now . So, how long does it take, anyway?”

“Uh, it can vary depending on the magician’s schedule . But I would say that it is around one week . ”

Well, that wasn’t too bad . It was a little sad that I couldn’t take it all now, but I had to have some restraint .

“So that will be sixty-five gold pieces for the armor set and an additional ten gold pieces for the enchantment . Seventy-five in all . ”

“Yes, yes . Here is the extra ten . ”

I took out ten gold pieces from the Rex treasury and handed them over . Now, everything was complete . I felt good and clean, free of debts .

“Thank you . Now, if you can just come by in one week, everything should be ready for you . ”

“No . Thank you . I got quite a bargain . It was a good thing that I came here . ”

We shook hands, but it did not lead to a contest of grip strength .

“By the way, your friend over there…”

“Hm? Me?”

Daniela had been staring blankly at some heavy armor . She was like a boyfriend who had no interest in the clothes store…

“That dress…”

“Ah, is it not pretty? Asagi bought it for me . ”

She laughed with a little pride and turned around to show it off . It was too cute .

“It is splendid! And if I may be so bold, could it be from the Goblin’s Boutique…?”

“Yeah . We stopped there before finding this place . ”

I answer . I wasn’t likely to forget that store’s name for a while .

“I knew it! Uh, would you mind if I had a closer look?”

“Ah, if you insist…”

Daniela said suspiciously as she stepped closer to the clerk . He folded his arms and looked sternly at the dress as he walked around her in a circle . He had the eyes of a craftsman .

Then his hand stretched out towards the skirt . I smacked the back of his head at full speed .

“Are some kind of imbecile!”

“Forgive me…I just got carried away…”

He rubbed the back of his head and bowed apologetically . Perhaps she was stunned because it was so sudden, but Daniela didn’t move .

“Asagi…you did that for me…”

She seemed to be so overwhelmed with grat.i.tude that she could not move . I forced a smile just as my temples were twitching with rage and looked towards the clerk in order to tear him a new one .

“In the first place, don’t you specialize in armor?”

“But I am also curious in clothing and accessories! I am very fond of clothing of this fas.h.i.+on . ”

Then you should go to the punk lady’s store…

“Oh, but that place, it is a little intimidating…”

I had no answer for that .

We talked for a while after that and then left the store . ‘I will be brave next time and go!’ the clerk said before we left . He really didn’t need to be so nervous . She wasn’t going to eat him, as far as I knew .

When we went out into the main street, the falling sun cast a giant shadow from the city walls . The time seemed to have past very quickly as we were in there . Almost too quickly .

“The sun has already begun to set… I had not realized how much time had pa.s.sed . ”

“Ah, I was just thinking the same thing . ”

“Hehe . Is that what one feels when they are with someone they like?”

“Je-jerk…!”

What’s with the surprise attacks! It was even worse because I was increasingly aware of how red my face was getting .

“Hmm? What is wrong Asagi? You have turned scarlet . ”

Daniela asked as she looked deep into my eyes . It was too cute . Which only ramped up my bashfulness .

“It’s you know, the heat of the sun . ”

“Oh?”

She grins at me teasingly . If this was how things would be, then I was happy from the bottom of my heart that I became an Adventurer . However, being teased without reciprocating was no fun . I would have to deal a heavy blow in return .

“Asagi, Asagi . My own face has not been affected . Is this somehow because of the sun as well?”

She continued with an evil grin and moved closer to me . And so I cupped her chin in my hand and moved in to shut her up . Wide eyes look into mine .

And then, perhaps it was the work of the sun, Daniela’s face turned a bright red .

When our lips parted, I was able to put on a triumphant smile, knowing full well that my revenge had been a success .

But then again, her revenge for my revenge would be something fearsome . So it was best that I retreat for now . I run ahead toward our inn . I don’t look back . There is no need to look back . There wasn’t a speck of a chance that Daniela would not chase after me .