Chapter 63

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"…Isn't it closer than expected?"

How long had it been since I started following that girl?

We had been brought to a street with slightly more people than the one we were on earlier.

She had told us she would guide us to the inn, but there was no sign of us arriving.

"Just a little further," the girl said, turning her head slightly to look back at me.

I felt like I had been hearing the same thing for a while now...

"Are Aura and the others not tired?"

We had walked quite a distance, so they must be tired.

I have a recovery spell, so it's easy for me to remove fatigue.

"It's fine!!" Lily said with a lively voice, stretching out her hand.

Aura and the others also seemed to have plenty of energy left, and their breathing was not even out of sorts.

"…What…?"

After confirming everyone's condition, I looked back at the girl, but she was nowhere to be found, probably due to the crowd.

"…Can't find her."

We searched for a while, but in the end, we couldn't find that girl.

"…So? You realized your wallet was gone?"

"…Yes."

I am currently being lectured by Aura.

Apparently, I had my wallet taken by that girl earlier.

I had kept my wallet in my pocket for easy access, but that turned out to be a bad idea.

"Put it in a harder-to-reach place!"

"Y-Yes, you're right…"

If asked when it was taken, it was probably when I turned my head back.

The wallet didn't have a lot of money, but since I've been earning a decent amount recently, it would be a considerable sum for an average person.

To lose it all in an instant…

Even though the city is known for its good security, I learned firsthand that one cannot let their guard down.

Aura seemed to understand that it was taken when I was worried about them, so I didn't get scolded as much this time.

Fortunately, I had given some money to Torue beforehand, so we wouldn't have trouble finding an inn.

After the conversation, we found an inn on our own.

Even though we had money, we couldn't afford to waste it, so we decided to rent only one room.

Even though we only rented one room, we made sure to get one with two beds.

"…Finally, I can relax…"

Upon entering the room, I flopped onto the bed.

Aura and Torue also collapsed onto the other bed.

However, Lily didn't seem tired at all and was looking at me with a calm face.

Then, her face broke into a smile, as if she had just thought of something amusing.

"Here I come!!"

"…!?"

Suddenly, she jumped at me from where she was.

I quickly sat up and spread my arms to catch her.

"…Ugh"

Despite the slight impact, I managed to catch Lily and sit her on the bed.

"Hehe!! That was fun!!"

Lily, with her beautiful and slender legs kicking wildly, smiled at me, saying it was fun. She's so cute.

N-Not that I have any other intentions, really.

No, really.

"Ah, by the way, I have something to give you."

After Aura and the others finished their baths, I spoke to them.

"Here… This is…"

As I said this, I handed them the women's clothing I had bought at a clothing store.

A place that sold detestable swimsuits and the like.

"Um, what is this…?"

Torue asked timidly.

"Well, the king said he would provide clothes, but I thought you might need proper clothes before we get to the castle."

"Ah, thank you…!"

Torue's eyes welled up with tears as she thanked me.

"Thank you…"

Aura also said this in a small voice, though she didn't seem entirely displeased.

"Yay!!"

Lily, as always, was full of energy, waving the clothes around and running around me.

"J-Just try them on, shall we…?"

Saying this, Aura led Lily and Torue to the changing room.

I waited the whole time.

"A-All done…"

"O-Oh…"

The first one to come out of the changing room was, of course, Aura, wearing the clothes I had bought.

The clothes seemed to highlight her cuteness.

I might have a good eye for clothes, even if I say so myself.

"It suits you."

I don't usually say things like that, so it's embarrassing.

"R-Really? W-Well, it is a cute dress…"

Aura's face turned red, probably embarrassed by the new clothes.

"…But, how did you get the size so perfect…?"

However, her expression quickly changed to a glare as she looked at me.

"…"

I can't really answer why; I just knew to buy it when I saw it.

"Um…"

I wish I could explain it well, but I don't know how.

"…Pervert."

Hugging herself with her arms, Aura returned to the changing room.

…Next time, I'll buy something a bit bigger.

I vowed to myself.