The morning came by and Nashiro was pumped up for the day. Before anything, he had to take a bath to get rid of the garbage smell. He was feeling sick to his stomach because of it.

'I have to get this off of me. I woke up early as well just to avoid bumping into Katsumi by accident. Yasune will let me know when the tub is ready and I'll be in there for a while.'

He paced around the room, looking at the ground. He was thinking about Katsumi's promise.

'Last night… What did she mean by helping? Does she know something? A lead maybe? If so, shouldn't she tell me about it?' He sighed and scratched the side of his head with his finger, 'I'm overthinking it.'

A knock snapped him out of his thoughts.

"The bath is ready,"

Yasune alerted him and he got his old ripped up shirt on before carefully leaving his room and going down the hallway.

'Coast is clear,' he sighed and just as he was about to go into the bathroom, Katsumi opened her bedroom door behind him. She yawned and saw him.

"Nash…" Before she could say anything, the bathroom door was slammed shut. She blinked a few times in surpise but mostly confusion. She rubbed her hair a little as her nose picked up on a bad smell

"Why does the air stink?"

She swung her hand in front of her and went over to open the hallway window.

"Don't be in there for too long, you hear?"

She raised her voice but Nashiro planned on it.

'I wish I didn't have to,'

He felt like crying as he sighed again and went into the bath. He scrubbed himself from head to toe with the soap Yasune acquired in preparation.

He was there for a good few hours until he convinced himself he didn't stink anymore.

'I made sure to clean myself at least twice in every place. And I mean every place!'

He grabbed his old clothes and put them away.

'These need a wash,' placing them in the basket, he looked around but there was no new clothing for him ready like last time.

'She must have forgotten, I'll have to go downstairs to pick something.'

He wrapped a towel around him and thankfully it was long enough that he did it no problem.

He left the bathroom but, "You took your sweet time," Katsumi met him outside but soon noticed that he was shirtless. She turned her head to avoid looking at him, blushing lightly.

"H-hey… W-why are you here?"

He questioned and clenched his towel in embarrassment and it was noticeable in his voice.

"N-no reason, I need to use the bathroom."

"O-oh sorry… I've taken a lot longer than needed."

"I-it's fine… By the way, y-you don't need to be so embarrassed in front of me. I couldn't care less even if you were naked."

Nashiro picked up on the lie as her ears turned red from saying that. Embarassment makes even the best liars slip at least a little, not that he knew if she was a good one or not. Nevertheless, he lowered his eyelids and sighed.

'That was a terrible lie and even you know it,' he thought before adressing her, "Yeah… I'm not risking it," he walked by before stopping, "I do have something to say,"

He stopped, "What you said last night… I don't understand it."

"What do you mean?"

She changed her emotion back to her serious self. Shifting her body towards him, now that his back was towards her, she didn't feel uncomfortable as much.

"I'm trying to say that I can't permit you to take care of my problems for me. You've got enough on your plate to worry about me too."

"So? I've got my own reasons." She detested it.

"I don't care! With all due respect, I am grateful that you saved me that day. But I can't depend on you to save me every time."

"There's nothing wrong with accepting a helping hand. Even if you want to accept it or not, I'm gonna help you one way or another," she was persistant in her decision. For what reason? She didn't say.

"Fine…" He closed his eyes and frowned.

'I tried. I'm not happy about it. Not one bit. But it's her decision and I can't influence it. I'm curious what it's in it for her though.'

…

Later on, as the day progressed, Yasune reminded Nashiro about Zaga and how he was supposed to receive a reward. Nashiro was interested but was refusing to go.

"I'm not going. I was a pretender anyway."

"Pretender?" Yasune raised a brow.

"A heroic pretender. I got myself into trouble by acting like one."

"You weren't pretending," She patted his head a few times, "Don't you think you deserve a reward for your good deed?"

"I don't know. I feel like I don't deserve it," His head dropped down slightly.

She got annoyed and flicked his head, "Why are you putting yourself down?" He looked at her, "At least turn up and see what he is willing to offer you,"

He really didn't feel like going but it can't hurt to see what Zaga was going to give him and if he didn't like it, he'll reject and leave anyway, "Alright, I'll go," he placed a few of the dresses on the shelf, "He is supposed to be somewhere in the market right?"

"Stay still," she went over to him with a hair band, "This will improve your look. I know you have been struggling to see because of your long hair, this should remove the issues until you decide to cut it," Yasune gently gathered most of his hair in one place and tied it with the band.

"All done! How does it look?" She gave him a small mirror.This was the first time he got a look at his own face and he didn't look all that bad. Quite the opposite, he was handsome and had a few distinctive features about him especially with his hair back. It didn't fully get all of it but at least he could see clearly. He didn't even see himself smiling but he did in the end.

"I like it! It fits me."

Yasune was glad he liked it and hugged him.

"I wasn't sure you would. Do you really like it?"

"I really do. This is probably the first time I got to look at my face properly. How do I look to you?"

"Very handsome. I can see many girls flocking to you just because of your looks," she nudged him gently.

"I don't know about that…"

He got flustered and wasn't expecting to be teased like that.

"I'm serious," Yasune was enjoying his flustered face, "You should go. If I remember correctly it should be a corner shop past the market before the noble area of the town."

"There is a noble area?"

She nods once, "You'll notice it when you get there but basically, that's where most of the privileged live. Commoners and other folk like merchants, blacksmiths, bakers, farmers, all live beneath that."

"Why?"

"It's a given that if you're born in a family with reputation and wealth, you're considered a high ranking member of society. No matter how rotten a person may be, they can do pretty much anything around here. Even the clans are sometimes powerless against them as they only answer to the King and the royal family itself."

"Isn't that too much power to one side?"

"Horrible things happen to those that disobey them and we have to keep our heads low around them," bad memories made her shiver a little. She snapped out of it quickly before she got too deep into it.

"Shops close at 6 on the dot so get going," she forced a smile.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

"I won't take long…"

He went outside and the sun was rather bright today so he had to put his hand up. Maybe it was because his room was in the corner of the house where the light isn't present for the majority of the day.

"You're going somewhere? I thought you would stay in all day." Katsumi was feeding her horse with a few apples she had on her.

"I'm gonna go to that Zaga guy and see what he wants to give me."

"You don't sound very thrilled about it?" She turned to him once she finished.

"I'm unsure about it. Yasune convinced me to go."

"It's your choice. But I suggest you do go. Who knows what he is going to offer you," She got on her horse.

"You're going back I presume?"

"Yup. The base is left on its own and I just received a message that our captain is coming back tonight. I better return before he does and get everything prepared for his arrival."

"Good luck," He wished her the best in her efforts.

"Thanks. I'll see you later, okay."

She turned around with her horse, "Oh, by the way, that's a good look on you."

She dashed off after that. Nashiro was left there as he took a glance at the mostly clear sky before he advanced towards the market.

Going through the market, yesterday's events flew back into his mind. He acted on impulse and he regretted doing what he did just a little.

"Hey kid!"

He turned towards the voice and it was the same salesman that he approached.

"Where did you go yesterday? You alright?"

"I'm okay."

"You sure? Come here,"

He called him over to his stand as he sat down in his chair. "I know what you did," he winked and Nashiro looked shocked.

"How?"

"I got connections in the garrison. My sister's eldest son is a recruit there and he's staying with me at my place."

He got a few bags and started to put some of his finest fruit and vegetables in them.

"So you know…" he frowned, "How do you see me then?"

"Hm? Ahh, you must be feeling like a criminal because they arrested you."

"Yes, that's why, I want to know if you see me as a criminal or something else?"

There was a long pause before he truthfully answered.

"You're no criminal. You don't have the face to be one. You're somewhat of an unknown hero that only a couple of people know, which isn't a bad thing."

He chuckled. From a closer look at this salesman, he was in his 30s and had some buff features that you would think he was cutting trees down for a living. His somewhat long black beard and black hair all but confirmed it without him saying it. He had an X-shaped black mark on his cheek that made him stand out a little more.

"Are you heading somewhere?"

"I'm going to a famous jewel merchant named Zaga."

"That guy huh?" He sounded irritated by the mention of that name, "He's a bit of an ego. He likes to gloat his business around like it's the best thing since the invention of the communication crystal."

"Is he a bad person?"

The salesman waved his hand, "Hard to say. I don't know the guy personally but he seems a bit shady."

"I see…" Nashiro spaced out a bit before the salesman put two bags in front of his eyes.

"It's on the house!"

"I can't take it without paying…" He reached for his pocket but was stopped by the salesman.

"Of course you can, I'm giving it to you," He laughed, "It's what you wanted yesterday plus a little extra with some exquisite fruit I think you'll love."

"I… I got no words other than thank you,"

The salesman, who had his hands crossed, lifted one and satisfyingly smiled.

"It's quite alright, kiddo… You deserve it for all the troubles you went through. You're probably braver than I am," he bursted out laughing and Nashiro laughed as well but it came out a bit awkward.

After that, he thanked the man again and continued on his way. The fruit and vegetables were weighing him down so his movement was slower than he would have liked.

Eventually he made it but he didn't know what to do with the bags in his hands.

'What to do with these? I don't want to go in with these in my hands. How do I put them away?... OH WAIT!'

He remembered the command that let him see his inventory.

"Inventory!"

And a window popped up in front of him

He saw 5 free boxes there.

'Only 5, huh? I don't understand this thing but this is the perfect time to test it.'

He raised one of the bags towards it and placed it in. It made small vibrant waves as it accepted it and it displayed on his screen.

From the looks of it, it took 2 slots out of his five.

"I still don't understand anything," he muttered and tapped on the screen.

It displayed additional information and stated that the bag was over the weight one slot can carry so it took a second one as a compensation.

'That makes more sense. Now I know, the limit one slot can hold is 3 kilograms before It has to take another slot and compensate for the rest of the weight.'

He put the other one in there and stretched with a small grunt, swinging his arm slowly to loosen his muscles after carrying something that heavy.

He walked up to the door of the jewellery shop. Above the door was a sign, 'The Great Zaga's shop of wonderful and special jewels'.

He stared at the silver plated sign with gold letters for a bit. Nashiro was amazed how they had that much money someone could have.

He went up a few steps and opened the door when the small bell rang but it wasn't just one. After he triggered the one above, a chain of bells rang around the store like an alarm system.

"This damn system!!!"

Someone from the back shouted and came through the curtains to meet the customer.

It was a boy about his age, maybe a couple of years older.

"Hello… May I help you?"

"Uh, I'm here to see mister Zaga."

"Zaga? He's a busy man, he can-"

"Hold it Amari!"

Zaga popped up from behind the curtain with his special walking stick. He swung it around and pointed at Nashiro.

"I knew you would come… Welcome to my shop!"

"Is he the one?" Amari questioned and looked over at Nashiro.

"Yes! It's him."

"I thought he would be older, unless my eyes are deceiving me."

"It's not your job to judge how old someone is. Get back to work and organise those boxes in the back. I'll handle my guest,"

He ordered.

"Yes, sir." Amari moaned tiredly and walked to the back.

"Hm? You look puzzled." Zaga pointed out the confused gaze Nashiro was giving off.

"I may be coming off as rude, but I expected this shop to be larger."

With how Zaga was dressed, his shop advertised and the word around, he thought this would be more grander but he felt underwhelmed. It was no bigger than Yasune's kitchen and even that was stretching it. It was all cramped but tidy at least.

"You see, this isn't the only shop I own. I have a bunch of them all over the kingdom. This one is simpler because this is my very first one that I acquired long ago."

"You've got multiple?"

"Of course, I'm not the great Zaga without a holding."

He praised himself before jumping over the large counter of items.

"So, I said I'll give you a gift for your good deed," he put an arm over him, "You can keep it for yourself or you can give it to someone else. There was that ranger girl with you right?"

With him being as close as he was, his olive skin and chocolate-coloured eyes stood out the most. His narrow nose made his face look longer than expected at first glance and his thin eyebrows made it difficult to tell his expression. One of his slender hands was wrapped around Nashiro’s side. He had a thick neck for his size. His narrow shoulders made that his upper torso was like a scarecrow.

"Yeah? What about her?"

"Perfect opportunity! You want her in your bed right?"

Nashiro's cheeks went fully red.

"W-what?!… T-t-that's not it!"

"With one of my jewels here, she'll bend for you in no time at all!"

He grinned and nudged him playfully.

'Don't think about it! Don't think about it!' He took a deep breath as Zaga moved back behind the counter.

“Go ahead! You’re allowed to choose whatever item you want,”

He walked along the glass panes and items on display, “Take your time. I’m excited to see what you pick!” He smirked happily.

Nashiro nodded and started from the top. All the jewels, necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets and others were all in order and it was easy to navigate. Some of the jewls looked really expensive and cool. One of them was a golden bracelet that had a snake tail and head on it and a sapphire gem as the centerpiece of it. The gem, itself, looked alive.

‘It looks poisonous and deadly if anything, that wouldn’t fit me nor as a gift for anyone sane.’

Some of them were normal gems but Nashiro didn't know and he thought it would be rude to ask what was normal and what wasn't.

He strolled around the room for a while and Zaga himself was getting bored as he was resting his elbows on one of the glass panels and his head on his palms.

Then, something caught his eye.

It was a ring in the ruby segment. It shined brightly and it wasn't too big for his finger.

"Can I take this one?"

"Huh? What?!" Zaga woke up from his temporary slumber.

"This one!"

"Excellent choice, my boy!" He exclaimed, "I must say, I had a small feeling you'll choose that one."

He took the ring out of the panel and gave it to him, "Keep it in a safe place, you don't want to lose this one…"

He winked and clenched Nashiro's hand gently.

"Okay… I took enough of your time. I'll get going now," he turned towards the exit.

"Don't worry about it! Thank you, Nashiro and make sure to stop by again and recommend my shop to your friends and family!"

'Did he just advertise his shop through me?!'

Nashiro realised the purpose he was lured into his shop. Sighing and scratching his head, he looked at the ring in his hand for a few moments, if anything

"Time to go back home."

He scratched his chin and glanced around at the busy streets as horses and other means of transport go by him.

"I have nothing better to do… Hopefully Yasune got a few customers by now to keep her busy. What are the chances her store is full… That's wishful thinking…"

He chuckled and started walking back but trouble was not far away.