Chapter 27

After finishing lunch with Manon at the pasta shop... well, what should I do next?

Since I’ve never spent time alone with a girl before, I have no idea where to go... or even what kind of shops there are in Volzard.

In such a situation, a handsome hero would probably escort her skillfully, right?

There’s no movie theater or game center... I have zero social skills and a hundred percent loner status, so this is a tough challenge for me.

"Hey, Kent, what do you want to do next?"

"Huh? What... what next...?"

Oh no... that was embarrassing, I made a weird sound.

Besides, we just had lunch, so how about tea? Tea? Is there even a café around here?

"Hey, Kent, do you want to go see the city walls?"

"Eh? What would we do at the city walls?"

"Let’s climb up and look at the Forest of Demons..."

"Sure, I guess, but can we even climb the city walls?"

"It’s not allowed when there’s an alarm like last time, but usually, it’s fine."

"Wow... I didn’t know that."

Since I had no idea what to do, I followed Manon to the city walls.

The area around the gate is guarded by the defense force, so you can’t enter, but you can climb up to the top of the wall from a bit further away.

The top of the wall is a pathway, and in case of battle, it’s where the defense force and adventurers line up to fight off monsters.

It’s about three stories high, and you can look down at the Forest of Demons, but the dense trees block the view, so you can’t see very far.

Oh, there are goblins scurrying around, probably scavenging the remains of the rock ogre.

"The rock ogre’s body has already been cleaned up, huh?"

"Did you want to see the rock ogre, Manon?"

"Yeah, even though I live in Volzard, I rarely get to see monsters unless I go into the forest, let alone a fierce one like a rock ogre."

"I see... there’s a big difference between inside and outside the city walls."

Volzard, known as the city at the end of the world, is almost free from monster attacks thanks to the city walls.

However, during occasional large-scale outbreaks, monsters do sometimes enter the city and cause damage.

"Have you ever seen a rock ogre, Kent?"

"Yeah, but only from a distance."

"Of course, if we were near a rock ogre, we’d be eaten right away."

No, no, Manon, the rock ogre wouldn’t even be able to get close to us; it would be instantly killed by a vicious skeleton.

"Hey, why did you want to become an adventurer, Manon?"

"Me? It’s because of my dad."

"Your dad is an adventurer?"

"Yeah, he was a very skilled adventurer..."

Oh, past tense? Did I step on a landmine? A shadow crossed Manon’s face.

According to Manon, her father was a specialist in mining minerals as an adventurer.

Apparently, various mineral resources can be obtained from dungeons, and many adventurers go there for the minerals.

Besides gold, silver, copper, and iron ores, there are also stones that can be used to make gems.

Manon’s father was a skilled adventurer who used earth magic effectively to gather materials efficiently.

"So, did he get attacked by monsters in the dungeon...?"

"No, he died of corruption disease three years ago."

"Corruption disease...?"

"Yeah, maybe it’s called something different in your country? It’s a deadly disease where your stomach hurts and the pain gradually moves to the lower right abdomen, causing your internal organs to rot."

"Wait, that’s... appendicitis, right?"

I almost said it but stopped myself.

"Kent? Is something wrong?"

"Um, is there no cure for corruption disease?"

"Well... in the scholarly city of Backenheim, there might be skilled healers, but the healers in Volzard can’t cure it. The only option is to drink herbal medicine."

"Can you be cured if you go to Backenheim?"

"Um... probably, but it’s very expensive, so only nobles can afford it."

"I see..."

In Japan, it’s not a deadly disease, but in this world, there’s no surgery, so it’s a terrifying disease that leads to death.

"Thanks to the money my dad earned, my mom and I can live, so I want to become an adventurer like him someday."

"Does your mom oppose you going into the dungeon?"

"Well... she’s not too happy about it, but she agreed on the condition that I complete combat training and join a solid party."

I see, so she doesn’t want you to go alone.

"I’m a water mage, so I think I’ll be valuable in a party."

"Really?"

"Yeah, because it’s hard to get safe drinking water in the dungeon, and once I learn healing magic, I can clean and treat wounds."

"True, carrying water would be heavy."

"Yeah, people who go into the dungeon use dried rations to reduce weight."

"Wow... I see."

So, it seems that going into the dungeon is quite challenging.

In my case, I can use shadow travel and shadow storage, so I can go in empty-handed and even return the same day.

Actually, I can get water using talismans... but maybe I shouldn’t say that.

"If you complete combat training, would you... like to form a party with me?"

Why is Manon asking this while looking away? Her ears seem a bit red...

"Form a party... I haven’t really thought about it..."

I’m interested in dungeons and expeditions for materials or monster hunts, but rescuing my classmates is my top priority right now, and I don’t have the time to think about specific adventurer activities.

"Is it... not possible...?"

"No, it’s not impossible, but just the two of us right after training wouldn’t be reliable enough."

"Yeah... that’s true..."

She looks really disappointed.

"It’s not possible right now, and I don’t even have a clear plan to complete training, but if I ever form a party, I’ll definitely ask you, Manon."

"Really?"

"Y-Yeah... I promise."

"It’s a promise, okay? Absolutely!"

"Y-Yeah... I promise."

Manon probably wants to go into the dungeon like her father.

Being invited to a party means she might have a crush on me, right?

Or maybe she’s a loner like me and is just happy to find someone else who is?

"Hey, Kent, do you want to go to a weapon shop?"

"Weapon shop...?"

"Well, if you’re going into the dungeon, you’ll need a weapon, right?"

"Um... yeah, I guess."

"Let’s go check it out."

"O-Okay, sure."

It feels like we’re going to the dungeon tomorrow, but Manon needs to figure out how to pass the training, right?

Still, I’d like to see weapons... but it doesn’t feel like a date.

If I follow Donovan’s teachings, the weapons I can use are limited, but it’s good to know the prices of real weapons.

We decided to go to the weapon shop, but... is it okay to hold hands?

Can I do a casual handhold?

I reached out casually, almost grabbed Manon’s hand, then stopped, but then reached out again, and stopped... and we arrived at the weapon shop.

"Is something wrong, Kent?"

"N-No... nothing..."

"You’re weird, Kent..."

Gah, she called me weird... weird... *sniff*.

I took a deep breath and entered the weapon shop, where a female clerk greeted us.

"Welcome, Manon. Oh, you have a friend today..."

"Hello, Naria. This is... my friend, Kent."

"Nice to meet you, Kent."

"I’m Naria, nice to meet you."

Naria is an adult woman with short, purple hair.

Unlike a grumpy middle-aged man, the shop feels relaxed and easy to browse.

Inside, there are various weapons, from small folding knives to buster swords.

"Um... do you make the weapons in this shop?"

"No, no, I handle the business, and my brother makes the weapons."

"Your brother is a blacksmith?"

"That’s right, but he’s a bit eccentric and not good at business."

"I see, he’s a craftsman, then?"

"Exactly."

Naria’s brother makes the weapons and displays them in the shop, and they get feedback on which items are popular and make more of those.

Manon hasn’t bought any weapons yet, but she’s a regular customer who used to come with her father.

"Hey, Kent, doesn’t it make you excited just to look at them?"

"Yeah, it does..."

Usually, girls would get excited about clothes or accessories, but Manon gets excited about knives and daggers.

The prices are quite high, with large knives starting at around 1,000 helts and the more expensive ones at around 4,000 helts.

I could buy one for her with the money I recovered from the carriage on the way to Volzard and the rock ogre’s magic stone, but giving a gift out of the blue would be strange.

If I buy a knife, our relationship is inseparable... but saying that would probably freak her out.

"Kent, right? What kind of weapon do you want to use?"

"I’ve only practiced with a wooden sword, so I don’t really know what’s good."

When Naria asked, I had no idea what to say.

"I see, you’re just starting combat training, huh?"

"Yes, and I think I’ll grow a bit more, so I want to choose a weapon later."

"Right, right, you’re quite sensible for your age. Usually, kids your age want weapons that are too big for them."

That’s probably because I have a sword and shield that are way too big hidden in the shadows.

"Since Donovan is watching me, if I had a weapon that was too big, I’d be in trouble just thinking about it."

"Ha ha ha, Donovan is watching you, so you’ll get advice during training. Come back after you’ve heard it."

"Okay... but I don’t know when that will be."

"Don’t worry, Donovan only takes an interest in promising individuals, so I think you have talent."

"Is that so... I want to be stronger than Gerrick, though."

"Hmm... you’re quite interesting. If you get advice from Donovan, I’ll introduce you to my brother. Custom-made weapons are better, after all."

"Thank you, I’ll wait without expecting it."

While talking to Naria, Manon glared at me with a pout.

"Manon, when you get Donovan’s attention, I’ll talk to my brother."

Ah, I see, Manon hasn’t been promised a custom-made weapon.

I got the promise first, so she’s glaring at me.

"But if custom-made weapons are better, wouldn’t it be better to have all of them custom-made?"

"Well, yes, but my brother is very particular, so he can only make a few at a time."

"I see, that wouldn’t be profitable."

"Exactly, we need to eat too."

After that, Naria taught us about weapon maintenance and the process of making custom weapons, but Manon’s mood kept getting worse.

Custom-made weapons must be a dream for many people.

Another customer came in, and Naria started talking to them, so we decided to leave.

"Naria, we’ll come back again."

"Sure, come anytime, Manon too."

Manon only nodded slightly.

She’s still a bit upset.

We left the weapon shop, but it’s still a bit early to go home.

So, what should we do next? How about tea?

"Kent, do you like older women like Naria and Muell?"

"Huh? No, not really... why?"

"Because... you were talking to her so happily..."

"Eh? I was just learning new things and thought it was interesting."

"R-Really?"

Hmm? It seems Manon’s mood is improving.

But then she stopped me.

"Kent, Kent!"

"Ah... Merryne, hello."

The one who called out was Merryne, the object of Kaltz’s affection.

"Thank you for yesterday. I finally mustered the courage to talk to Kaltz."

"Really? That’s great, so what did Kaltz say?"

"He said I should do what I think is best and that he’d help if anything happened. He gave me a push."

"I see, so... what about the restaurant?"

"Well, closing it permanently would be sad, so I’m thinking of taking a break, going on a training trip, and then reopening. If it still doesn’t work, I’ll close it."

"I see... where will you train?"

"Well, that’s the problem. Do you know any good places?"

Merryne is thinking with her arms crossed.

"Hey, Kent, do you know any good places?"

"Good places... um... how about the restaurant where I’m staying, Amanda’s place?"

"Really? You’re staying at a restaurant?"

"Yes, Amanda’s cooking is amazing."

"Hey, would she let me train there if I asked, even without pay?"

"Um... Amanda’s restaurant is busy, and she’s very helpful, so I think it would be okay..."

"Please, can you introduce me?"

Since it’s Merryne, Kaltz’s love interest, I can’t say no.

"I can’t promise it will work out, but I can talk to her."

"Really? Thank you!"

Woohoo! Merryne hugged me.

Ah, ah! I can see Manon turning into a demon at the edge of my vision...

"Is it okay to go now?"

"Yes, this time of day is usually when they start preparing for the evening, so it should be fine."

I decided to go back to my boarding house with Merryne, but Manon’s mood is the worst.

"I’m going home... s-l-o-w-l-y!"

"Um... Manon... Manon-chan..."

Manon is radiating a “don’t touch me” aura as she stomps away.

"Sorry... I got carried away and made her angry."

"Um... yes, I have some insecurities..."

"Really?"

"Yes, probably..."

When I introduced Merryne to Amanda, she agreed right away.

The restaurant is busy, and she was thinking of hiring help.

The only one who seemed a bit unhappy was Meisa, and the reason is...

"Now Meisa can study more, so work hard."

"Ugh... I’m going to take over the restaurant, so I don’t need to study..."

"No, even if you take over the restaurant, proper education makes a big difference."

"Okay... I understand..."

It seems Meisa is not good at studying.

Maybe I can teach her when I have time.

I can probably teach basic math, right?

Merryne is starting her training tonight.

I was planning to relax in my room until dinner, but Fred called out to me.

"Mr. Kent... it seems a live combat exercise will be held tomorrow..."

"Really? Already? Got it, keep investigating, and I’ll hear the report later..."

"Understood..."

I thought the live combat exercise would be held soon as a show of force, but I didn’t expect it to be tomorrow.

I need to prepare tonight... this is going to be a busy night.