Chapter 36

During our adventure, we never know what might happen, so we have to refrain from getting too close.

I thought maybe it would be okay to be a little closer during breaks, but I was told coldly to keep my distance because it was too hot.

After dinner, Thor quickly retreated to his room.

In other words, we hardly have any time to chat or gaze into each other's eyes alone.

Then, a girl with violet eyes burst in, further reducing the time I could spend with him.

Just as I was getting a bit anxious because Muu had taken over Thor's bed in no time, it was a day off from adventuring, and Yuril had gone out early in the morning, saying she had something to do.

While Sora, who was in charge of lunch, was thinking about the menu, Thor appeared in the kitchen with a light yawn.

Thor seemed a bit more relaxed on his day off, which made him even cuter with his usual gaps showing.

"Are you free now, Sora?"

"Yeah, I'm free. I'm completely free!"

"Want to go out for a bit? What about Muu?"

"She went out with a bento."

"Got it. Since we're going out, let's have lunch outside, then?"

"I'll change right away!"

Excited by the sudden invitation to go out alone, Sora rushed to her room.

"Hehe, going out with Thor-kun!"

While skillfully shedding her house clothes, the girl ran to the wardrobe.

She took out the elegant light gray dress that Yuril had recently tailored for her.

And a wide-brimmed hat.

It had a red ribbon wrapped around it, and she had fallen in love with it at first sight in the store.

She combed her hair with her hands, put on the hat, and smiled at herself in the mirror.

When she reached the entrance, Thor slightly raised his eyebrows.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Thor-kun."

"Let's go, then."

Our boarding house is almost at the southern end of the outer city, so we first headed to the South Main Street and then aimed for the Central Square.

"So, where are we going today?"

"Well, various places. This street has a lot of restaurants. There are also some rip-off bars, so be careful of the touts."

On either side of the road, wide enough for three carriages to pass, signs depicting wine glasses and dishes lined up.

Even though it was still early in the afternoon, there were quite a few people, and the voices of vendors promoting their lunch menus were lively.

"There are also a lot of bathhouses and inns on this street."

"It's convenient that the bathhouse is on the way back, right?"

"You don't really need to go every day, though..."

While chatting, we soon reached the Central Square.

This place, which spreads out just inside the gate, is paved with neatly arranged stone slabs.

It's at least two hundred steps from end to end, and large crowds of people appear from various streets and alleys, then disappear again.

Colorful market stalls dotted the square like reefs in a sea of people.

The voices of vendors selling daily necessities and food added to the bustling noise, making it even more chaotic.

The delicious smell that seemed to grab your stomach wafted over, and Sora instinctively pressed her stomach.

"From the East Outer Gate, go straight through the square, and the Adventurer's Guild is right in front. The auction house is next to it, and the training ground is behind the guild. I think you know this since we've been here a few times, but just in case."

"The building next to the auction house is really lively, isn't it?"

"That's the auction market. It's where they sell the materials processed at the auction house."

"Ah, that's why they're right next to each other."

Thor's arm rose, pointing to a wide road leading west from the side of the Adventurer's Guild.

"You can't see it from here, but that road leads to the Inner Gate, and beyond that is the Inner City."

"Hmm, are we not going there today?"

"We could, but it's a hassle."

According to Thor, if you want to go to the Inner City, you have to leave your weapons at the Inner Gate and explain your business, among other procedures.

"Anyway, it's good to know where it is. Want to look around the market stalls a bit?"

"Sure. Oh, if we get separated, it'll be a problem, so can I hold your arm?"

"Do what you want."

Sora clung tightly, but it was unexpectedly difficult to walk.

When she almost bumped into a passerby, Thor subtly helped her by gently pulling her arm.

Sora noticed that Thor had adjusted his stride to match hers and relaxed her cheeks.

We leisurely looked around various stalls for about thirty minutes.

The stalls and vendors change with the seasons, so even Thor found it fresh.

As we were walking happily, we were suddenly called out.

"Hello, Thor."

"Hello."

Sora, who had been admiring Thor's profile, was startled by the sudden greeting and turned her head.

There were Sisan and Alesia, acquaintances from the adventurer community, who seemed to be looking at the items at a stall selling miscellaneous goods.

"Ah, are you feeling better now?"

"Yes, I'm completely fine now!"

Sisan, asked by Thor, blushed and answered happily.

"Are you going somewhere today? Oh, we're buying supplies for our adventure."

"Is that so? The quality is better a bit further north."

"Where exactly?"

"It might be a bit hard to understand from here."

Just as it seemed like they were about to join us, a blue-scaled girl standing diagonally behind us suddenly spoke up.

"Ah, if you tell us the color of the roofs..."

"Right. It's around where the brown and red mix."

"Thank you! Come on."

"Hey, don't drag him. Thor, see you later."

"Sure, see you."

"See you later!"

As Alesia forcefully dragged the boy away, she secretly waved at Sora just before disappearing into the crowd.

Sora, finally realizing her intention, clung tightly to Thor's arm again.

"Let's go, Thor-kun."

After finishing our market stall tour, we left the square and headed for the North Main Street.

"This street mainly sells weapons and armor. Many of the workshops are also stores."

The road width is the same as in the south, but there are fewer people, making it much easier to walk.

However, the noise of something being hammered and the mysterious smoke from many shops made it just as noisy.

"Besides, there are also stores that sell metal goods and regular clothing, so you can find most things here."

"Wow, that's convenient."

"Since we're here, want to look at some clothes?"

"Really? Is that okay?"

Sora's eyes sparkled, and she headed for the fabric shop we visited the other day.

By the way, Yuril had told her the store's name was White Rose.

"Hello!"

"Welcome. Oh, Sora, that looks really good on you!"

"Hehe, really?"

"Then, if we make a jacket with this fabric, it will be a perfect match."

The country girl nodded at the shop assistant's suggestion.

Since it was a store recommended by Yuril, Thor judged that they wouldn't try to overcharge and took a break a little away from the action.

This was a woman's battlefield, not Thor's forte.

"Oh, Thor."

"Hey, it's been a while."

The unexpected voice came from Enna, a familiar receptionist.

She was off today, as she wasn't wearing her usual green uniform but a simple outfit of a white top and long black pants.

Enna, who was about to continue the conversation, quickly switched to a business smile when she noticed Sora in the back.

"Sorry, I just remembered something. I'll be going now."

The receptionist left with a meaningful wink, and Thor sighed.

After about an hour of consultation, Sora finished ordering new clothes, and we finally left the store.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Thor-kun. Where are we going next?"

"Ah, a store in a back alley. They've been urging me to drop by."

The moment we put our hands on the door, it opened as if waiting for us.

The person who came out and Thor, who was about to enter, passed each other without touching.

"Hmm, so it seems we are destined not to part so easily—oh heavens."

"Hello, Thor. Oh, you've brought a lovely young lady. May I ask your name?"

The overwhelming presence of the two people who emerged from the store made Sora's eyes widen.

But Thor, facing the two incredibly handsome redheads, responded with a casual tone.

"I'm busy now, so go home."

"Pity, my strong rival! Now that we've met again, isn't it time to share a drink?"

"I can't relax when I eat with you, so I'll pass."

"Nice to meet you, I'm Ninessa. I've known Thor for a long time."

"Really?"

"Oh, are you jealous? Do you want to hear more? How about we go somewhere private to chat?"

"Hey, stay away from my family."

Thor looked at the two, who puffed out their cheeks like Muu when scolded, with a bemused expression.

"You're on a rare day off. Is this the time to bother us?"

"Hmm, so it seems no one can escape the passage of time."

"Sure, sure, we'll be going now. See you, young lady."

As Sora watched the two leave like a storm, she still had wide eyes and spoke to Thor.

"Hey, Thor-kun. Those people had golden plates."

"Don't worry about it, just forget it. Phew, we've run into a lot of acquaintances today."

"Ah, you're here. I was waiting so long."

Thor, who muttered in a tired voice, was approached by a man in an apron.

It was Ramon, the owner of the armor shop.

"Are you doing well, young lady? ...Huh?"

"Muu isn't here."

"N-no, I didn't need the kid anyway."

"What's that in your hand, old man?"

The shop owner, pointed out by Thor, hastily hid what looked like a pouch with a string behind his back.

But realizing he couldn't hide it, he threw it to Thor.

"Just some leftover leather. That's all!"

"Aww, it's a cute little pouch. Muu will definitely be happy."

"Oh, really? I think it turned out pretty well myself."

Thor and Sora exchanged a small smile at Ramon's attitude, which was the opposite of what he had just said.

Moreover, inside the pouch were several shiny copper coins.

The shop owner, who had shown a stern face to the two, put his hands on his hips and shook his head, then seemed to change his mood and nodded at Sora.

"Alright, let's get this over with. Come here, young lady."

"Me?"

"Didn't Thor tell you? We're taking measurements."

"Huh?"

"I got a lot of boar leather, so I thought I'd make some for Muu and you. Plus, your current equipment—"

"Oh, right. I completely forgot."

The linen robe and white bronze chest plate Sora was currently using were borrowed, and she would have to return them if Yuril returned to active duty.

The measurement took about thirty minutes, and it was scheduled to be ready in a week.

After thanking the shop owner and leaving the armor shop, we returned to the street just as the noon bell rang.

Thor, who stretched, turned to Sora and asked.

"Got it? Do you understand the layout of the city now?"

"Understand what?"

"The layout of the city. This way, if something happens next time, you can evacuate quickly."

We thought we were just leisurely exploring the city alone, but it turned out to be a guide to evacuation routes.

Realizing Thor's intentions were different from hers, Sora pouted a little.

Thor, not paying attention to the girl's attitude, continued.

"Alright, let's go get some food. It's a place someone asked me to introduce you to."

"Sure, let's go! I'm really looking forward to it."

The girl, who quickly changed her mood, clung happily to the arm of the one she loved.

"Hey, Thor-kun. I didn't remember anything, so can you show me again?"