After we had reported the completion of the quest yesterday, we went back to the inn to find Mother before turning in for the night.

And as expected of Mother, she got us a room where there was only a single, large bed so the three of us ended up sleeping together again.

At least Katsuki's already gotten used to the fact that Mother sleeps naked and that I pretty much need her to be my hug pillow as well.

"Mommy, do you know about the Leo family?" I asked while Katsuki was dressing me in the morning.

Mother turned to me from where she was combing her hair, "Ara? Why such a question, my little one?"

"Umm… I met some kid who was doing the same quest as I was and he tried to intimidate me to hand over my spoils. I might have insulted him a bit so I'm not sure if we should be worried?"

"Ufufufu~ Is that all? If that's the case, then there's no need for my little one to worry. Mama knows his father quite well so if he causes any trouble for little one, just let Mama know~"

I pursed my lips, "Mommy… How important is our family, really?"

Mother's smile turned mischievous, "Worry not my little one, when we reach the capital city, you will know~"

"So are we really important then?"

"Ufufufu~ Patience my little one~ Let Mama have her surprise won't you?"

I shrugged just as Katsuki finished tying up my bodice.

"What are our plans for today, Mommy?"

Mother continued to comb her hair, "Mama was thinking of going to visit some old friends around here, so my little one is free to do anything you want today~"

I turned to look at Katsuki, "What about you, Katsuki, is there anything you would like to do?"

She hesitated for a bit before bowing, "If I may be so bold, Mistress… Is it alright if you were to train me a little? I feel quite inadequate in my own prowess…"

Well… I suppose when she's using me as a baseline, such thoughts would be normal.

Still, I wouldn't mind training her since I do intend to take her with me on my journey so it would be best if she could defend herself as well.

Mother perked up, "Ara? Little Katsuki doesn't need to worry that much. The school you are going also teaches combat classes~ Although I suppose my child can still give you some lessons first!"

What kind of maid school are you sending her to, Mother. .

"Hmm… We will need a place where we can train then…" I noted.

"Ara? My little one can just find a place outside the city to do that then~" Mother suggested.

"In that case, we can pick up another quest on the way too. How about it, Katsuki?"

My Inugami maid bowed, "I have no objections, Mistress."

"Alright~ Then I'll see you later, Mommy!"

"Ufufufu~ Take care, my dear child~"

Katsuki followed me out of the inn and I did a quick count of my current finances.

I have two medium silver coins, six small silver coins and fifteen large bronze coins. That brings the total to one thousand, seven hundred and fifty Creas.

I now know that my initial assessment of the currency is quite off, so I've come to realise that this much money is actually a small fortune. Converted, it should be equivalent to about a hundred and seventy five thousand dollars.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

The two of us first stopped by the Guild, looking to see if there's any suitable quest for us to take up.

"Mistress? What about this one?" Katsuki suggested while pointing to one of the quests.

I took a look at it, 'Collect fifty Milgras Herbs from the northeast field'. Rank F quest with a reward of fifty Creas.

Those herbs were the same one I had taken back in the Dragon View Trade City. Katsuki probably chose this since it would bring us to an open field with a minimal number of people around and both of us would be able to collect them pretty easily.

I agreed and took down the quest to register it to the both of us before we stepped outside.

"Before that, I guess we should get you some weapons of your own too," I decided, looking at my Inugami maid.

"Eh? Umm… It's alright Mistress, you are already allowing me to keep my share of the quest money… I can simply just save up for one."

"Uh-uh, you're supposed to protect me right? How are you supposed to protect me when you don't have adequate equipment?"

"Un… Understood, Mistress…" She sighed, although her tail was wagging happily.

So cute~

I asked around and got directions to a weapon store just a few streets away, one that was apparently quite popular with Mercenaries in particular.

Pushing open the door, I could see quite a large number of people already present inside looking at the array of weapons on display within the store.

All of them were held in cages with the better ones placed inside display cases that looked to be enchanted.

Deciding that having an expert help us would be better than bumbling around the store by ourselves, I led the way to the counter where a male clerk was leaning against it.

"Hey, welcome. What can I get you?"

"Hello, I'm looking for some weapons for my maid so if you would be so kind as to help outfit her?" I greeted, stepping aside to reveal Katsuki.

The clerk's gaze shifted towards my maid and he raised an eyebrow at her, "You supposed to be the lady's bodyguard?"

He wasn't questioning her abilities but more of asking if that was her role. I suppose an eleven year old looking for a weapon is considered normal around here?

"That is correct. I favour small weapons so knives, daggers, throwing weapons and anything that I can easily hide on my person would be best."

He stroked his chin thoughtfully, "So those kinds of weapons. Gotcha, follow me."

The clerk stepped out from behind the counter and beckoned us to another part of the store.

I was a little weirded out that we needed to move to another part of the store for this but I decided to just follow along for now to see where this goes.

We ended up going through a door that opened up to a darker interior where most of the people inside were wearing cloaks or robes that covered their faces while browsing the shop's wares. Is this what stepping into the dark web feels like?

He moved towards one of the racks, "Over here we have our collection of daggers and knives, each of them in varying sizes for strapping to your thigh, your shin, your arm or even these that can be hidden up someone's anal cavity."

I… Won't comment on the last one…

Without waiting for a response, he went on to gesture to another weapon rack beside it, "Here are the throwing weapons, also of varying sizes according to your purpose and where you want to store them. Again, anal sizes also available."

What the heck…

He then stopped at a display case at the end of the room, "Last but not least, if you're feeling quite fancy, our selection of gauntlet blades, consisting of blades strapped to your wrist that you can flick out to surprise your enemies. Sadly, no anal sizes for this one."

Those actually look familiar… I wonder where that came from?

Also, what's with their obsession with stuffing things up their ass?

"So, what would it be, ladies?" He asked with a glint in his eyes.

"What are the prices of your weapons?" I asked, still a little worried about costs.

He grunted, "These weapons were imported from the smiths of Frostiminir Kingdom so you can trust their quality. You want any better, you'll have to go to the capital or to the mountains themselves. The daggers and knives are between a medium to a large bronze coin each, throwing weapons are at most a medium bronze coin and the gauntlet blades are more pricey at a medium silver coin minimum."

Oh… Not too bad, it really seems like I can afford them as long as Katsuki isn't aiming for the gauntlet blades.

"Any enchanted ones?" I asked, just to be sure.

He scoffed, "No enchanted weapons here, lady. You'll want to go to the enchantment store for that. Or buy one of our weapons and go there to enchant it yourself."

I nodded before turning to Katsuki, "Take what you need, no need to hold back."

"Can I really, Mistress?"

"Of course. In fact, I insist."

"But… I might need a lot?"

"Well, you are guarding me right? I can understand if you want to be as prepared as you can be. So really, don't be shy!"

"Understood… In that case, I'll take those four stilettos, those two daggers, a full set of those throwing needles and those throwing knives. Ummm… Also that rondel dagger too. Oh! You guys have hollowed throwing needles too? I'll need a set of that too. And… That parrying dagger as well."

The clerk picked up each and every weapon she had listed without even batting an eye and I'm just standing there watching Katsuki list them off like she was shopping for vegetables or something.

It's probably a little late for me to realise this but… She's actually trained in assassination…