She had narrow, deep blue eyes and a refined, striking face.
Right in the middle between cute and beautiful.
Tall, and her slightly dirty work clothes did nothing to hide the voluptuous chest that looked like it might spill out at any moment.
Through the gaps in her hair, I could see familiar black horns. Right — Minotaur horns.
A slender tail with a knob-like tip was swaying behind her.
A minotaur-type, maybe? But wait — dwarves were supposed to only be born as males.
"Oh yeah. Let me introduce her proper. My daughter, Kikka."
"...H-how do you do."
"I'm Wof."
Kikka looked down at me with a dubious expression.
"Kikka. This kid's the witch's disciple."
"Ah, that one!?"
"The witch's disciple."
"So that means the knife I made before—"
"Knife?"
"The double-bladed one."
"Ah... that knife..."
Hard to say, wasn't it. Kikka's already narrow eyes narrowed further.
"What about the knife?"
"I-it was broken by Alverd."
I wasn't lying.
Kikka let out an irritated growl.
"Huh? Alverd...?"
"Alverd von Rootbelto. He's a first-class delver."
"He's called 'The Shatterer of Ruin.'"
"Hmm... but looks-wise... he's this refined aesthetic type... absurdly handsome..."
Well, that was fair enough. That's what Vurent said.
"That guy's the boss of Kuun Hunt, isn't he? Why would someone like that—"
"Well, there were... various reasons..."
Man, this is awkward.
"Oh yeah. Speaking of which, what happened to the gauntlet?"
"I left it with the witch. She said there might be room for improvement."
"Oh, nice. Looking forward to it."
"...You. You actually ran into a first-class delver?"
Kikka asked, glaring at me.
"Y-yeah."
"Not bad. So what's this about? You need a weapon?"
She grinned. I felt relieved.
"I need a knife."
"How about a sword?"
"The thing is, I'm cursed and can't hold a sword."
"Cursed, you say?"
"Y-yes."
"Well, that's a pain."
"That's why I can handle a knife."
"Can you handle a spear or an axe?"
Lupinus asked.
"I think I probably can. A spear definitely, and an axe—I've never used one as a weapon."
I'd only ever used one for chopping firewood back in the village.
"Then why not give them a try?"
"Yeah, why not."
"Hm… try… life… bring it on."
"R-right."
A spear and an axe. I'd never even considered using different weapons before.
"Sure. But for a kid, an axe wouldn't be too heavy?"
"It's heavy."
Chopping firewood had been tough enough. Using one as a weapon was a different story.
Kikka spoke up.
"Then how about a spear? Spears are over there, and the knives are on that shelf. Oh, and—was it Wof? You. How much you got?"
"About... 400,000, I think."
"Oh my, you've got money."
"That's right —
Retainer's
reward."
"Yes, that's right."
"Come to think of it, Pakira got about the same amount."
"Hm... rich..."
Huh? It should be 800,000.
When I thought that, Pakira seemed to notice and gave me a meaningful look.
"Then how about some armor too?"
"Oh, that would be nice."
"Sure thing. That's my girl. Leather plate armor isn't all that heavy."
"Plate armor..."
Armor. I'd never really considered it.
"Hey, old man. Didn't they have plate armor made from crocodile turtle?"
"Yeah. Should be... in the plate armor section..."
Varent scratched his head and headed toward the shelf where armor was displayed.
In the meantime, Pakira brought over several spears.
She lined them up on the empty counter.
"Well? What do you think?"
"...This one."
One. There was something that caught my eye.
A single-edged spear with a wooden shaft. No ornamental flourishes, no gaudy decorations. It was built rough and plain.
"That one caught your interest, did it?"
"Hoh, well now. That's the one you want?"
Pakira put on a somewhat challenging smile.
"This is the one that stands out the most."
"Hmm. It is certainly different from the other spears."
"Mm... wooden shaft... premium feel... custom-made..."
"Wof. You've got an eye for quality?"
"No, not really. I just happened to be drawn to it."
Part of it was that a purely wooden shaft was uncommon among the selection.
Most of the others were made of metal. On top of that, this one was single-edged, shaped like a barbed arrowhead — a unique design.
"Well, it's not exactly the stuff of legends or anything, but there is a reason behind it."
"There's a story to it?"
"Nothing that deep, but there are... complications. I made that one on commission, but the person who ordered it died before picking it up."
"Oh... I see."
"I'd already taken the advance payment, so just keeping it in storage like this, collecting dust..."
"That's quite the dilemma, isn't it."
"That's quite the pickle, that is."
"So yeah. I feel bad for the guy who died, but we're selling it off. Not that anything's been moving, mind you."
"How much is it?"
"That'd be 6,000 oro."
"That's cheap."
"It'd normally go for a bit more, but nothing's been selling. That's the long and short of why it's been sitting in the store all this time."
"Can I take it?"
"Sure."
I picked up the spear. Lighter than I'd expected. The grip length wasn't bad either.
6,000, huh. Fine. I'll take it.
"Thanks, as always. The name on that one is 'Kokusen.'"
Kokusen. I also got a special-made spearhead cover and a spear holder thrown in for free.
After that, I looked over the knives and bought three.
A plain, straight double-edged knife.
A knife with a saw-like blade.
A thick, slightly curved kukri knife.
Pakira and the others each bought one knife too.
They were clean, pristine white knives. She said she'd use them as proof of Torquetam membership.
"You're rather late, Mister Verent."
Since it wasn't on the shelf, they'd gone to check the stock but hadn't come back.
"Old man's gone to the back and hasn't come back. I'll go check."
Kikka-san headed to the back of the shop too.
We were left waiting. Well, looking at weapons and armor never got old.
"Oh, right. Everyone, could you close your eyes and hold your arms out in front of you?"
"What is it?"
"What for?"
"Hmm…"
Tilting their heads in puzzlement, they obediently closed their eyes and extended their arms.
I took three items from my pouch and put them on one by one.
Since I had to put them on properly, I ended up gripping and touching their hands.
"Wh-what is it?"
"That tickles."
"…Pervert."
"S-sorry. That's all, you can open your eyes now."
When they opened their eyes and saw what was on their wrists, they stared wide-eyed.
On Pakira-san's wrist was a bracelet with a white band and a blue gem set into it.
On Riv-san's was one with a pink band and a red gem set into it.
On Lupinus-san's was one with a golden band and a white gem embedded in it.
"Wh-wh-what is this?"
"It's a bracelet."
"I understand. But this is..."
"It's so pretty."
"Hmm... so pretty..."
Each of them reacted differently.
"It's a token of my gratitude for all your help. Please accept it."
"Th-thank you. But are you sure?"
"It's very lovely, though..."
"Actually... I should be the one thanking you..."
To the flustered Torquetam, I said.
"I've received so much help from all of you as well. I'd be happy if you accepted."
My words made them pause, then they nodded softly.
"Indeed. Very well, then."
"I'm so happy."
"Hmm... I like it..."
"But..."
"Huh?"
"Alright... time for the secret plan..."
"Ah, yes."
What was this? Torquetam had formed a circle and was whispering with the others. What was going on?
"W-what?!"
"S-something like that...?"
"Oh, you..."
"You. What are you saying—"
"Hmm... Riv..."
"Mm, mmm..."
"Is that the... best way...? I was planning to... thank you, though..."
"B-but..."
"So you trust... Riv... and it's Pakira and... Lupinus... is that it?"
"That's not quite it, but..."
"No, that's not it either, but..."
"Hmm... then... no... thing!"
"Well then... Lupinus."
"That's right. Pakira."
"Hmm... I'll... say thanks."
Oh, this knife. Nice. I'll give this one to Ens.
"Wof."
"Wof."
"Young man."
"Y-yes."
They all called my name at the same time, and I felt my heart skip a beat.
Pakira-san said, fidgeting for some reason.
"Um, the bracelet. Thank you. This is in return."
Pakira-san's lips gently pressed against my right cheek.
"Eh, Pakira-san...?"
Pakira-san looked down, her face flushed all the way to her cat ears and tail.
"Wof-san. Allow me to return your gratitude as well."
"Lupinus sa—"
Lupinus-san pressed her lips to my left cheek.
Lupinus-san pulled away and turned to the side. The tips of her pointed ears were bright red.
As I stood there dumbfounded, Riv-san stepped directly in front of me.
"...The headliner... has arrived... so."
"Riv-san."
"Mm... close your eyes... I won't... hurt you... so..."
"H-Hey, hold on, your face is way too close, and why are you grabbing both my cheeks with your hands? And, uh, why are you closing your eyes?"
"Mm... it's fine... if you count... the stains on the ceiling... it'll be over before you know it..."
"What are you even—hey, wait—"
Riv-san's soft, glistening pink lips approached mine... Ah.
"What do you think you're doing?!"
"Even I cannot overlook that."
"Ow..."
Pakira chopped Riv on the head, and Lupinus let go.
"You simply cannot afford to let your guard down, can you?"
"Truly."
"...mrrgh... failed..."
Riv murmured, dejected.
Those glossy pink lips made my heart skip a beat.
"Yeah, sorry about that. We ran out of plate stock."
"My bad. Hm? What's up with you guys?"
Verent and Kikka came back.
"Nothing at all."