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When we finished breakfast, Delia quickly took out from her storage ring the few things she had brought from the temple, leaving them in any way in the living room, after which she looked at Alessia and me with a look that clearly meant 'What now?'

So, I took her by the hand, and the three of us left our house in the direction of Erick's store.

On the way, Delia kept looking in all directions with eyes like saucers, amazed at the beautiful natural and wild landscape of the residential area where our house is located.

Surely she did not imagine that a person as young as me would have a house in such a beautiful part of the city.

Alessia, on the other hand, while we were walking, clung to my right arm in a strangely possessive manner that made it a bit difficult for me to walk, but that was not entirely unpleasant.

We are currently right at the entrance of Erick's blacksmith shop.

As we cross the threshold of his door, the blacksmith greets us with a smile, clearly happy to see that this time I am coming with Alessia.

However, a slight frown quickly appears on his expression as he sees that we are actually more than two people.

"Hi, kiddo. And hello, Alessia! Long time no see! You're a joy to the eyes, as always," says Erick, opening his arms in a welcoming gesture. "And.... who is that peculiar person coming with you?"

"Hello, Erick," says Alessia, greeting the blacksmith with a beaming smile.

'Hmm, what was that? If I wasn't someone as mature as I am, I might get jealous seeing someone direct that kind of comment at Alessia…

Fortunately, they don't bother me....

But I'm going to keep an eye on Erick's attitude towards Alessia from now on….

Just in case’

"This is Delia..." I say, patting the fox girl on the back to encourage her, after which she shyly raises her right hand in a salute towards Erick as she smiles quietly.

"... she's my other girlfriend."

'- Three tails... That means she's a purebred. They're not very common these days. So... Wait, did he just say that the fox girl is his second girlfriend?'

"Suuure...." says Erick, looking meaningfully at the three of us.

"...Haa. Anyway, whatever you do with your personal life is none of my business. How nice it is to be young.... I guess you came by to find out how I'm doing with your assignment, right?"

"Yes. However, I also wanted to consult you on another matter. But let's take it one step at a time. How is the production of my shield coming along?" I say and look inquisitively at Erick.

' - A shield? That's weird.... It's not something that fits master's style of combat? Wait isn't it for... But... He already gave her a legendary talking weapon! And I... Agh, I hate feeling like this! But I'm the first... I must be... Stop it! I'm not a jealous person!'

As Erick and I talk, I watch as Alessia bites down hard on her lower lip and squints her eyes slightly, as if she's facing some kind of internal struggle.

Meanwhile, Delia has moved a bit away from us and looks curiously at the various weapons and shiny armor on display inside Erick's shop.

"Good. Or, at least, as good as could be expected for such an order. But I think I'm going to need more time than I initially expected. I've made a fair amount of shields and have them here in the store for you to examine, but I doubt any of them are what you're looking for. I haven't felt any special spark while making them.... But you never know," Erick says, after which he beckons to Jack.

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

The young slave immediately gets the message and begins to bring the results of Erick's work.

A few minutes later, it becomes clear that each and every one of them is a beautiful and functional shield of an apparent quality comparable to that of the tower brigade members.

But, unfortunately, none of them have three free slots.

"Haa... I thought so..." says Erick when he sees my negative gesture after examining the last of his production.

"...But sooner or later, I'll manage to create a shield like the one you want. I've never in my life given up in the face of a good challenge, and this won't be the first time," he adds, as he signals Jack again to return the shields to their initial place.

Jack sighs, looking at the pile of heavy shields with a dejected look, but says nothing and hurries to follow his master's orders.

"... Besides, it's not like I'm losing money on this kind of assignment either, because I can easily sell those shields to the army. The demand for equipment is the highest in recent decades. Wartime is really lucrative for people with a job like mine."

"Erm... Master, what do you want a shield for? It's not something that fits with your style," Alessia asks while smiling, but with some tension in her voice.

'Why do I get the impression that Alessia is upset about something? Her moods have been very unsettled lately.'

“I think it would be nice to have a good shield in my inventory for any situation that might happen to us in the future…” I say, taking one of the large shields still left on the counter to make the gesture of covering myself from an imaginary attack.

"... In the full-scale war, I had the opportunity to test a shield with three runes on it, and let's just say that, if I hadn't had it at the time, I probably wouldn't be here today talking to you."

At this revelation, Alessia's eyes widen in astonishment, but she says nothing more.

"Yes. That's a more than sensible idea. I still remember when I first met you. I found it very strange that you didn't want to buy a good shield as part of your equipment. The chain mails I sell in my store are fine, but there are circumstances when they are not enough and extra defense is needed," says Erick, nodding with a satisfied expression at my words.

"Yes, well... Now that you mention it, I need to buy a chainmail for Delia. And about the other issue we came here for. Could you recommend me some relatively large buildings where I could run something like..... A healing place?" I say, as I think of the best way to explain to Erick my intentions.

At my words, Delia stops looking curiously at Erick's various creations and looks at Erick and me with her full attention.

"A what? Could you repeat? I think I misheard you," asks the blacksmith, looking at me suspiciously.

'- I already knew this guy was up to something shady. A healing place? Sure! He must be selling drugs or something.... That's the only way someone as young as him could have so much money. But I'm not going to be part o...'

"A healing place. Something like a clinic..." I say quickly, because I can see from his expression that Erick's thoughts are taking a very strange turn.

"... You see, Delia is an independent priestess, and I would like to get a place for her to help and heal people for a low cost."

At my words, Delia approaches me and intertwines the fingers of her right hand with my left hand.

' - It's really happening! I'm going to be able to help so many people. Hmm, the clinic should be located somewhere close to the neediest neighborhoods, where people are less likely to be able to pay for Solus Temple treatments. And it has to be a relatively small place.... I understand that buildings in the capital are terribly expensive. That's why the Solus Temple is forced to charge really high prices for its services.'

Alessia, who has been quiet for quite a while, says nothing but emulates Delia's movement and takes me by the right hand.

'Delia has been really quiet since we entered Erick's shop....

Is she always this shy in the presence of strangers?...

That's strange….

When she's healing people, she doesn't usually inhibit herself in this way….

But it's true that she's usually very professional when she sets her mind to something….

Maybe that's why, in those moments, when someone's life depends on her, she has no problem talking to strangers.'

'- An independent priestess!!! and on top of that, a pure-breed fox girl who is a priestess!!! What the hell is this brat up to!!?? Haa.... At least he doesn't seem to be anything shady.'

Erick looks with renewed surprise at Delia, his eyes narrowed.

But he says nothing and remains thinking for a few seconds, bringing his right hand to his chin in a thoughtful gesture.

After a few moments, still looking at me suspiciously, he sighs and says, "I can't help you. The real estate business is not my thing. But you could ask Alfonso, the guy I took you to when you were looking for a house. He'll surely be able to help you with this. But seriously, what's your secret? How can someone your age have so much money? Are you some kind of undercover nobleman or something? No, forget it; don't tell me anything..."

' - Come to think of it, the fact that Master can use space travel to get inside the capital is the least of his problems.... That's easy to hide, but.... later I have to try to make him understand that he can't spend so much money this way in the same places. Sooner or later, some big shot will figure out that something fishy is going on, and they'll try to capture him to have their own golden goose. But, now that I think about it... It's a no-brainer... I'm sure he's already aware of it.'

Erick seems to be facing a fierce internal battle between his curiosity and his sense of prudence.

But his suspicions make a lot of sense.

After all, if it weren't for the gold labyrinth, I wouldn’t be able to spend so much money.

Only a major nobleman could afford all the expenses Erick has seen me incur so far.

That would be the conclusion anyone would come to under the circumstances.

It's either that or I'm involved in some kind of illegal business.

'As far as I'm concerned, he can think of whatever he wants. Besides... In a sense, I'm something of a lowly noble now, thanks to Cael and Dorian Aranis' stupid scheme.'

"... It's best I don't get too involved in whatever it is you're into. I'm more than fine the way I am. But... if you hold me in some esteem, take the advice of a friend. Be very careful, kid. There are times when a few fleeting moments of sweetness can lead to a lifetime of bitterness."

"Thanks... I'll keep that in mind," I say, mulling over Erick's sentence.