Chapter 60

Around the same time that Thor and the others were enjoying their lunch, Sora and her companions were walking down the street, looking pleased after finishing their order at a back-alley armorer.

"That was quite a good shop. I'm grateful you introduced me to it."

"You're welcome, Betty."

Betty, with her bundled red hair swaying gracefully, showed a satisfied smile.

She had ordered a vest made from the leather of a white rock lizard, which, when fitted to her body, complemented her tanned skin beautifully. She was probably imagining how it would look when it was finished, though it wouldn't be ready for about two weeks.

"Didn't you order anything, Sora?"

"I ordered new shoes for Moo."

They were long leather boots with sturdy soles, designed with buckles instead of laces to make them easier for a child to put on and take off. The shop owner had agreed to complete them in two days, ensuring they would be tough enough to withstand stepping on river stones.

"I meant for you, though."

"Hmm, my current equipment is fine, and I don't really need anything special. Plus, I don't have much money."

"Oh, if that's the case, you should have let me handle it."

Sora, her eyes wide with surprise, tilted her head like a little bird.

"Huh? Handle what?"

"I wanted to do something to thank you for showing me the shop."

"You mean, you were going to pay for me?!"

"Yes, and you are a dear friend."

The straightforward words of the red-haired beauty left the simple village girl thinking for a moment before she spoke.

"Hmm, that would make it feel more like a motherly relationship rather than a friendship."

"Huh?"

"It's hard to explain, but I think friends are people you play and chat with."

"I see, you might be right."

"So, just giving me a lot of money feels a bit off."

"You're right, Miss Sora."

Gordan, who had been walking behind them holding hands with Moo, interjected in the conversation. The child was happily munching on the baked goods they had received from the armorer.

"Really?"

"Yes, friendship is based on equality, and it's not appropriate to involve money so casually."

"I'm sorry, Sora. I was being rude."

The red-haired lady, realizing her mistake, quickly apologized to Sora. However, the girl's face became clouded.

"You seem upset. I'm really sorry."

"No, it's not that. It's just that... I felt a bit inadequate."

"What do you mean?"

"I feel like I'm always being protected by Thor and he's always paying for everything."

"Are you trying to become friends with that plain hero?"

"No, I'm aiming for something more."

"Excuse me, Miss Sora, but the relationship between lovers or spouses is different from friendship."

"That's true, but I want to become a suitable person first."

The usual cheerfulness had faded from the girl's face, revealing her unease. Betty and Gordan exchanged worried glances and quickly changed the subject.

"By the way, it's already lunchtime. I'm quite hungry. Sora, do you know any good places to eat?"

"Yes, I'm so hungry I could fall over."

"That's terrible. I'll take you to my favorite place."

"Then, as a thank you for showing us around, I'll pay for lunch."

"Isn't that contradictory to what you just said?"

"It's fine, Miss. I'm not a friend but Moo's subordinate."

Sora led the three to a row of food stalls in the central square, which was quite crowded due to the noon hour.

Seemingly accustomed to the crowd, the girl deftly navigated through the throngs. Arriving at a stall with a row of large pots, she turned around proudly.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. Hmm, it smells really good today."

"…What kind of stall is this?"

"It seems to specialize in soups."

"Yes, it's called Sea Pot. They sell seafood soups. Hello, sir!"

"Ah, welcome, Sora."

The shop owner, a middle-aged man with black hair, had a neck covered in fine, scale-like cracks. The smiling man, a member of the Blue Scales race, greeted Sora warmly.

"What's today's special?"

"Let's see. This one with whole onions is today's best."

"I'll have that one."

"What's the red one?!"

"That one has red pepper, so it might be too spicy for Moo."

"Which one has meat, sir?"

"How about this one with wild boar tail? It's very meaty."

"I'll try the red one."

"Can you handle the spiciness, miss?"

"Yes, I love it."

"Here, how about this one for the horned gentleman? It has pickled cabbage."

"Ah, that's nostalgic. I'll have the owner's recommendation."

Taking the steaming bowls, Sora didn't head to the tables in front of the stall but to the next shop. The large tent emitted a sweet, baked wheat aroma. Inside, various breads lined the shelves and central counter.

"I thought just soup might be a bit light, so this is a bakery."

"Yes, it's called White Cat."

"…Do they have cat-flavored bread?"

"No, the owner has a white cat. But cat-flavored bread sounds delicious."

Betty, who had meant it as a joke, saw Sora's serious response and her mouth twitched.

"Hey!"

"Why did you hit me, Moo?"

"I protect the cats' peace!"

"I won't eat it. It's dangerous to spill soup."

"Look, stop fighting. The bread will get hard if you keep this up."

The shop owner, a plump middle-aged woman with her black hair tied up, approached with a cheerful smile.

"Oh, you have new customers today? The black bread is fresh, so you can tear it with your hands. You look like a big eater. How about this one with nuts? And here, Moo, we have fried bread."

"Please!"

"Sure thing."

Despite the high price of wheat, the owner's unique supply chain allowed her to keep prices low, making the shop popular among adventurers. The four quickly selected their bread and headed to the outdoor tables for their meal. After sitting down and saying a prayer of thanks, they finally began their lunch.

Betty, watching Sora eat her soup with a full smile, brought up the earlier conversation.

"Hey, Sora."

"Hmm?"

"You said you're always being protected, right?"

"Yes, I did."

"Since you're a magic user, it's understandable. But fighting isn't everything. Why not try to contribute in other ways?"

Sora, touched by her friend's thoughtful response, almost choked on her bread and quickly reached for her soup.

"Um, contribute?"

"Gordan does a lot for me, and it makes me very happy."

"Unfortunately, Miss, I have a wife back home..."

"Stop deflecting. Anyway, since you're always together, you should try different things. It's a loss if you don't."

"…Okay. Yeah, maybe Thor would like this soup. Thank you, Betty!"

Seeing the girl's renewed energy, Betty gave her a warm look. Then, she suddenly asked a question.

"By the way, how far have you and that plain hero progressed?"

"Well, if it's a kiss, I've only managed to peck his cheek while he's sleeping..."

"Oh, you still have a long way to go. Keep trying."

While encouraging Sora, Betty somehow looked visibly relieved.

Meanwhile, Yuril, who had returned home after three days, had thoroughly cleaned the house and was sitting in a kitchen chair, sighing deeply. The two cats, who had been lounging around, made way for their owner and were now eagerly eating the dried fish she had brought back.

Yuril looked at the staff on the table and sighed again. The staff, slightly longer than her arm, had a large ice crystal at the top.

While cleaning, she had come across the priest's staff and muttered to no one in particular.

"…This doesn't bring back many good memories."