CHAPTER 32 - RUNNING ERRANDS

The bell on the old wooden door rang gently to welcome in the new customers.

⌈Excuse me~!⌋

⌈Oh my! If it isn't Violet!⌋

The shopkeep gave her greetings to the sorceress. Sarcastically reciting her manner of speech.

Her playful welcome took a turn as she noticed the wyvern I held in my arms.

⌈Wait! I-Is t-that a–!?!⌋

⌈She's my companion. No need to be afraid, she won't bite..⌋

⌈B-But... It's a monster!⌋

⌈She has manners, I can assure you..⌋

⌈Uh. Alright... I suppose you adventurers do sometimes have beasts as your companions sometimes...⌋

⌈Oh my. No need to be afraid, Emerald. Anyhow, as you can see, our little Dragonoid-trainer here was a little bit too adept with magic.⌋

The shopkeep began to evaluate the damage the burnt sleeve had taken, still keeping her distance from the monster.

⌈Oh... That looks harsh. You're not hurt, are you?⌋

⌈No.. I'm quite fine, thank you very much..⌋

⌈I'm glad. Now, would you like a replacement or a repair?⌋

⌈Repair, if possible.. This piece is.. rather important to me.⌋

⌈Very well.⌋

⌈Though... Could you leave it as it is, and just sew around the seared end so it won't come apart..?⌋

I followed up.

⌈Sure, that's very much possible, but are you sure you want to wear it with just a single sleeve?⌋

The beastman was confused. Understandably so. But I had my reasons.

⌈Yes.. I wish to carry my mistakes with me.⌋

⌈Oh my. The youth grows up so fast these days.⌋

Violet snickered.

I paid no heed, however. There's a certain yet undeniable charm to something damaged yet still intact. It shows a lot of character..

The tailor agreed and brought us to her workshop in the back. She began the repairs right away.

The two struck up a conversation, leaving me completely outcast. I didn't mind that, but what I did mind, however, was that I had to sit down without a top on in presence of Violet and her violent Violets, finding comfort only in the blanket that covered my... inadequacy.

⌈Have you heard the news yet, Violet?⌋

The dog eared beastman began the conversation, adeptly weaving her needle through my tunic.

⌈Hmm?⌋

⌈The talk around the town is that someone special has surfaced from among the new adventurers!⌋

⌈Oh my... Really? I wonder...⌋

⌈Yes! And would you believe it? He came to my shop not too long ago!⌋

She could hardly keep her excitement in check.

⌈Isn't that great?⌋

⌈It is! I knew he was special from the moment he sold me pieces made of Midnight Wyvern Hide...⌋

Oh.. Of course. Go figure.

⌈Violet, my old friend. You're an adventurer, right? Do you know him, by chance? The white-haired boy?⌋

⌈Do I? Oh my, I'm not sure.⌋

She giggled...

——————————

⌈Haaah... Taking long walks sure is a meditative practice.⌋

I yawned.

It would seem that the solitude I found in strolling around the town was the very same in this world as it was in the former.

I sat down on a bench in the shade on the side of the street and took a big bite of the meat skewer I bought. I can't get seem to get enough of the juicy goodness of fantasy food. If it wasn't so filling, and so damn cheap, I'd be penniless by now.

⌈Mhm... The meat of magical beasts really tastes magical, doesn't it, Lime?⌋

⌈*Yep! You'd know, after all.*⌋

⌈Heh... I guess. Do you want some?⌋

⌈*Do I want master's meat?*⌋

The slime began to squirm around.

Not again...

⌈I'll take that as a resounding no.⌋

⌈*Uuu...*⌋

⌈Why don't you use your actual voice, though? Wouldn't that be easier than beaming your thoughts into my mind?⌋

⌈*It's one and the same for me, but people are going to get creeped out by talking monsters, y'know?*⌋

⌈Especially if it's you that does the talking. Hah!⌋

⌈*That's rude!*⌋

⌈I was joking. I love you and you know that.⌋

I pat the dumb blob on her head.

⌈Now, shall we go and get the goods?⌋

⌈*Yes, sir!*⌋

...

The bell dangling above the door rang as I stepped in... The store, however, was empty. Not a soul came to greet me.

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

⌈Hello! Anyone here!?⌋

Nope. Nobody was there.

Isn't this terribly dangerous!? Someone could easily steal whatever they wanted to! Now I really need to find the owner before anything bad happens.

Perhaps the shopkeep is doing something in the back? I mean, Brigid was when we first met her, though I'm not sure whether she's a good point of reference...

⌈Pardon my intrusion...⌋

I thought out loud as I went through to the back.

I felt terribly guilty about going to places I probably shouldn't. But on the other hand, the guilt I'd feel if a crime were to happen would far surpass that.

The corridors around the back were rather expansive for a mere shop. I'm fairly sure this doubles as their home. That would be quite efficient, I guess...

⌈Alright! Done, and dusted. There you go, snow elf. I hope it fits.⌋

I heard a faint voice behind one of the doors, though I couldn't make anything out of the muffled speech.

'Finally!' I thought to myself as I knocked on the door and opened it.

⌈Excuse me, the shop's un–⌋

Little did I realize what I had just walked into...

A goddess. My eyes were lead to the rose pink highlights contrasting against her flawless pale skin. Her delicate form glistened in the warmth of the rays piercing through the window.

⌈Nice...⌋

I involuntarily expressed my appreciation for the sight I was blessed with.

Though her face was covered by the clothing she was about to put on, what I had witnessed was plenty to fill in the blanks.

It didn't take more than a split second for the door to slam shut once again. But, that split second was plenty for me. That image will forever be burnt into my memories.

⌈Hm..? What was that..?⌋

Lumi's confused voice could barely be heard from behind the door.

⌈Oh, it was nothing. I can assure you. Now, shall we get going again? It's not too good to stay here in the back room for too long. There might be someone waiting for the owner on the store side, no?⌋

Violet answered with heavy intonation. Even I'm not stupid enough to not realize what she meant by that.

She must've realized what happened right away.

I quickly left the scene. So much for the guilt dilemma. Damn, this is going to gnaw on my conscience for a while... Not because of what I did, but rather because I felt no guilt at all, which in turn made me feel like a scumbag.

I wish I had the capability to comprehend how my own mind works at times.

After waiting for an excruciatingly long thirty seconds, the three finally emerged from the back.

⌈Oh, a customer! Wait a minute, it's you! Welcome, again! Psst... Violet, this is the boy I was talking about.⌋

Eh? They were talking about me?

⌈Oh my... Indeed. Well then. Thanks for your help, Emerald. Lumi and I will be on our way now.⌋

Lumi refused to look me into my eyes, but I don't think she knew what happened. Violet, on the other hand, approached me...

⌈Don't think you'll be getting away with your antics so easily, young man. Drop by my home before sundown, or you'll come to regret it.⌋

That's... Pretty damn scary. In more ways than one.

⌈Oh, and... I almost forgot.⌋

She continued.

I have a bad feeling about this...

I closed my eyes and prepared for a nice fat slap on the cheek. That was what I'd deserve, anyway.

⌈Enjoyed the sight, did you? Oh my... No need to worry. She's getting over it. You best not be absent this evening. Who knows what might slip out if you don't show up~.⌋

A faint whisper carried out to my ear.

And to my surprise, my cheek wasn't met with the stinging sensation of a palm slamming against it, but rather something lush and soft...

A gentle chu was soon followed by her familiar giggle fading behind me, finally coming to an abrupt end with the sound of the door of the establishment slamming shut.

Unable to comprehend the turn of events, I brought my hand to my cheek and just stood there, dumbfounded.

Did she just... peck me on the cheek? I wanted to smile, but my astonishment held me back. Nevertheless, my happiness was through the roof. Does that count as a first kiss? It does, right?

⌈That fox... Does she have any restraints!?⌋

Emerald muttered to herself.

⌈I wonder how she manages to be so bold, yet still acts like a shy maiden at times. Same as always, I see... Ah, it sure is nice to be young... Anyhow, what brings you here, young man?⌋

It took me a good while to sort myself out and answer.

⌈Oh yeah... About that. I have something to sell.⌋

⌈You do? I don't see you carrying anything.⌋

⌈My slime does.⌋

Lime hopped on the counter and spat out the pieces of leather and twine I had collected from my adventures on the Trails.

⌈I've seen way too much today to even be surprised anymore. This is authentic Bloomhide, right? Rolls of Vine Twine, too? And freshly spat out from the innards of a sentient slime, no less? Alright, I give up.⌋

She sighed.

⌈Thirty-five silver. Is that fine with you?⌋

It doesn't feel like much, considering that I received four gold for my old clothes, but it's probably a rather sizeable sum.

⌈Yes. That's plenty fine. However, there's something I'd also like to buy. Dagda told me you'd know if I told you he sent me.⌋

She began to rummage through the shelves.

⌈Sap Wraps, I'm guessing? That's what he used to get all the time. Did he find joy in crafting weapons again?⌋

⌈Yeah, I guess. He was ecstatic when he heard that classes were brought back.⌋

⌈Please repeat that once again.⌋

Her ears twitched.

⌈The universal classes were restored this morning.⌋

⌈Surely you jest...⌋

⌈Nope, I'm being serious. Dagda's class, for example, was Initiate Blacksmith. I think the system might have reset, but he didn't seem to mind.⌋

⌈Really? Are you absolutely sure?⌋

⌈I retrieved the Shard of Knowledge, so I'd know. Hah.⌋

I puffed up my chest.

Lime, however, looked at me with pity in her button eyes. Shut up, slime. I've earned my moment of glory.

⌈Well, well. It seems that the rumors weren't just rumors after all! It's a joy to be of use for someone like you.⌋

She had finally found what she was looking for and put the wraps on the counter.

⌈So, how many do you need?⌋

⌈For four weapons, please.⌋

⌈Very well. It'd be two bronze and five copper for a piece, is that fine?⌋

⌈That works for me. So, I'll be getting thirty-four silver, and the wraps?⌋

⌈Yes, that would be correct. Here you go.⌋

She handed me the goods and the coins.

⌈Pleasure doing business with you again. I hope I'll see you around!⌋

⌈Yeah, definitely! Bye!⌋

I waved as I left the store.

She really is unlike everyone else. Such a nice and wholesome person to deal with. Calm and grounded, as it should be.

I strolled down the street to the smithy with a wide smile on my face.

⌈Oi! I got the wraps!⌋

I loudly announced, entering the smoky grotto of craftsmanship.

Loud enough that someone should actually hear it from beneath all the metallic clanks. Mere shouts, however, weren't enough to make the focus of the dwarves waver. Them and their damn work.

⌈Hey, kiddo! Took you a while! What did you do? Did you go peep on girls?⌋

Yes. But it was an accident, I'm telling you. I'm an innocent man.

⌈N-No. Of course not. Anyway, can you get these to Dagda? I need to get going somewhere.⌋

⌈Anything interesting?⌋

⌈I don't know yet. But it's important. That much I do know.⌋

⌈It's gotta be pretty interesting at that point, though. Well, best not keep them waiting! I'll make sure the wraps reach their destination.⌋

⌈If you manage to fuck it up when the distance is no more than five meters, you deserve a prize.⌋

⌈Haha! True, true. But you never know what might happen when you're around.⌋

⌈I'm not sure whether that's a compliment or an insult, but I'm taking it as a compliment.⌋

⌈Whatever floats your boat. See you!⌋

⌈Yeah, I'll be seeing you later.⌋

I guess I'm beginning to get along with people more and more. Now if only I'd manage to make amends with Lumi... Yeah, I'm not too hopeful on that front of the war.

Though my problems weren't limited to complications with interpersonal communication, no. The size of this city, paired with my terrible sense of direction. Well... Let's just say I have no fucking idea how I'm going to find Violet's place again.

⌈Lime, you know your directions, right?⌋

⌈*Yep!*⌋

⌈Do you remember the route to Violet's place?⌋

⌈*Who?*⌋

⌈You don't know Violet? Are you dumb?⌋

⌈*Oh! The sorceress, right? Sorry! I was at the Chapel when you were there...*⌋

Oh... Right. Nevermind that dumb part...

⌈Welp... Lime, are you ready?⌋

⌈*For what, master?*⌋

⌈A painstakingly long trek across the city trying to find my way to the destination.⌋

...

⌈Fucking finally! Oh, how many streets I had to explore to find you.⌋

Like the gates of heaven opening before me, I had finally reached the orphanage. The yards around these parts were rather sizeable, especially in comparison to the densely packed inner districts.

⌈So.. You came..⌋

To my surprise, I was greeted by none other than Lumi herself.

I dared not utter a word.

⌈Here..⌋

She threw me a practice sword and swung open the fans she wielded.

⌈Duel me...!⌋