"Did you buy the whole market or what?" Aron asked, his eyes widening in shock as he took in the sight of what the two girls had brought with them.
In just 20 minutes of shopping, Pethra and Kasumi had managed to fill a wagon with an overwhelming amount of clothes, outfits, underwear, and various other items that Aron couldn't even begin to identify, and yes, the wagon too.
"What do you mean, Aron? These are just the basic things any woman needs," Pethra replied confidently, while Kasumi nodded in agreement.
Aron stood there, still in disbelief, as he tried to comprehend the idea of what was considered "basic" for women when it came to shopping. He couldn't help but shake his head.
"Don't worry, Master, you won't get it no matter how hard you try," Kasumi said with a playful smirk. It was evident that she found Aron's reaction amusing.
Curious, Aron couldn't help but ask, "Why is that?"
"That's because you're not a woman, dumbass," Pethra couldn't resist teasing
"..."
"Makes sense." Aron admitted.
"But as long as you two are happy, that's what matters."
The two girls exchanged glances, their smiles growing wider and warmer at his words. They were tempted to leap on him and give him a big, warm hug, but they contained their excitement.
"Hmm?... Potions?" Aron was curious about a box full of potions.
"Oh! Yes, they are healing potions," Pethra replied. "We thought to buy some since you tend to get hurt a lot."
Aron chuckled. "I can't argue with that. Healing potions will definitely come in handy. Thank you both for thinking ahead and getting them."
Both of them nodded with the same warm smile on their faces.
"Now I just need armor."
…
Searching the market for a decent armor and weapons store, Aron was fortunate to find a good-looking dark steel armor similar to the armor he found in that store before the Noble Pig incident.
It's a simple steel armor dyed black, no fancy engravings or extra parts. The armor was made with the intention of practicality and functionality. Aron appreciated the simplicity of the design, knowing that it would serve its purpose well.
'Sometimes, simplicity and reliability are the best,' he thought.
Examining the black-dyed steel armor, Aron could feel its weight and sturdiness in his hands. It was a formidable piece of equipment, providing ample protection for his vital areas while allowing freedom of movement. The absence of fancy engravings and extra parts only enhanced its efficiency in combat.
"Hmm?" Aron saw Kasumi from the corner of his eyes, who was looking at a strange sword with sparkling eyes.
Aron focused his sight on her, and he was able to bypass her magic. What he saw made him chuckle inwardly. Kasumi's two tails were wagging with excitement as she stared at the sword.
"Excited, huh?"
Curiosity piqued, Aron approached Kasumi, his eyes fixed on the strange sword. It was a curved, single-edged blade with a circular guard and a long grip to accommodate two hands.
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"Do you like it?" Aron asked as he stroked Kasumi's long black hair.
"!!!" Kasumi shook a little at the sudden touch, but hearing her Master's voice, she calmed instantly.
"This is a sword from my country, Master. It's called a Katana."
"I used wooden ones in training. Only those who finished their training and found a Master to serve are allowed to carry a Katana made by the best blacksmith in the clan," Kasumi replied, her voice filled with a sense of pride and nostalgia.
"...Hmm?" Aron thought of something as he listened to Kasumi's words, then he grabbed the blade and examined it.
"Do you like it, Kasumi?" He asked her again.
"I do, Master," she answered honestly. "It's a great honor to carry a Katana."
Aron smiled, then held the blade with one hand and extended it to Kasumi.
"It's yours now."
"W-What, Master? I can't accep-"
"Yes, you WILL! Accept it as a gift."
"B-But, Master-" Kasumi hesitated to take the blade. For her, the katana is more than a blade; it's a symbol of loyalty and honor. Only a few in her clan have the right to carry one.
Seeing her hesitation, Aron displayed a sad face. "Soo... You hate receiving a gift from me? Hah! Well, I guess that means you hate me then?"
"!!!" Kasumi's eyes widened in panic, and her heart skipped. She quickly shook her head in denial.
"No, no, Master! I…"
"You what?" Aron flashed a sly smile, seeing her reaction. He couldn't help but tease her more.
"I love it," she mumbled with a barely audible voice as she hid her face with her long hair.
"Hmm?... I knew it! You hate my gift. Well, I can't help it… Sigh… If only there were another Fox-" Aron couldn't even finish his sentence when Kasumi suddenly grabbed his hand and glanced at him with a red face
"I LOVE YOUR GIFT!" Her shout caught the attention of everyone in the store, but Kasumi didn't care at all.
'Another Fox! Over my dead body.' Just the image of another Fox Yokai standing beside Aron made her blood boil.
"Pfft… HAHAHA~" Aron exploded in laughter at her outburst.
"!!!" Only now did Kasumi realize that Aron was only joking, just to see her reaction.
"M-Master, please don't do that again."
Aron patted her head. "Hehehe~ I can't help it. It's your problem for being incredibly adorable."
'A-Adorable!' Kasumi's face turned even redder at Aron's words, and she couldn't help but bury her face in her hands, embarrassed by her own reaction.
Suddenly.
"Where next?" A familiar voice came from behind them. Aron and Kasumi turned around only to be stunned by what they saw.
Pethra appeared with her hands full of swords, daggers, bows, and leather armor of every shape and size.
"..." Aron and Kasumi gazed at her with blank expressions.
"What?" Pethra asked in confusion.
"It's amazing how fast she spends money," Kasumi commented.
Aron nodded. "Indeed." Then he added, "I think we should go back before she buys the whole store."
"Of course, Master. We still need the money to buy our house."
'Hehehehe~ OUR house.' Kasumi was so excited by the thought of having a house for her and her Master.
Soon, the two passed by Pethra, who stood speechless at her two friends.
"Hey! What do you mean by that?... Hey! Wait for me."
…
Back at the warehouse.
Aron, Pethra, and Kasumi brought the wagon inside the Warehouse, and the two girls began dividing the clothes and all the necessary things for all the women inside.
Aron, on the other hand, regrouped with Raum, asking him about the situation around the warehouse and if the women had done anything.
Surprisingly, nothing had happened, and everything was fine. The women cleaned the warehouse one more time just to pass the time. After that, they gathered in circles and chatted with one another to kill time. Most of their 'Talk' was about Aron and their future lives.
"They trust you, Aron," Raum informed him.
"What do you mean?"
Raum explained, "They see you as their leader and protector. They admire your strength, kindness, and the way you treat them with respect. They trust that you will create a safe and fulfilling future for them. It's clear that you've made a positive impact."
"All of them are determined to pass your test and grow strong. Their desire to stand by your side is truly remarkable," he added.
Aron listened to Raum's words. He was surprised that he had earned the trust of the women so fast, and he admired their determination. However...
"It's all up to them; either they grow strong or die. Weakness is unacceptable, and I don't have time for it."
Even without memories, Aron understood how the world works, and it's very simple.
'The strong are always right, and the weak have no right.'
And there's no better strength than personal strength. When you become unstoppable like a force of nature, no one will dare cross your path, and then, only then can you live your life in peace.
Then Aron faced the little Raven.
"Prepare yourself. Tonight, you will have your revenge."
Raum widened his eyes, then flashed a wicked smile. "Kaaah! I can't wait to taste their fear."
Aron displayed a distorted smile that showed all of his teeth.
"Don't worry, my friend. I'll make them kneel before you."