Chapter 6

The journey to Moreria didn't take as long as expected.

Without being attacked by monsters, and with Mina being quiet in Reta's arms, they managed to arrive by evening, even with occasional breaks, thanks to their hurried pace.

"Hey? What brings a mother and daughter to such a remote town?"

As soon as they entered the town, a kind-looking, bent old man spotted Reta and Mina and called out to them.

"Hello. I'm Reta, and this is Mina. We're not mother and daughter, but, um, traveling companions."

"Hello."

"Yes, hello. Hehehe, what a cute young lady."

"A, a, thank you."

The old man smiled at Mina, who was confused by being treated as a daughter.

"I'm heading to the town of Amrus, but I'd like to stay at an inn here if possible."

"Is that so, is that so. I've heard that Lord is developing Amrus. It seems that settlers are starting to gather, though there are still few. Thanks to that, this town is also benefiting from people like you."

Reta's expectations for the town of Amrus grew with the old man's words. If the neighboring towns were benefiting, people must be gathering accordingly. With people, the town would naturally develop. It seemed like the perfect place to start a new life.

"Would you like me to guide you to an inn?"

"Is that okay? Then, please. Oh, before that, is there a shop that sells equipment? I want to get this child some proper clothes."

"If so, you should go to the shop run by my wife. Just go straight into town, and you'll see the sign, right?"

Reta and Mina looked in the direction the old man pointed. There was a shop with an old sign that read "Moreria Equipment Shop."

"Oh, right, I haven't introduced myself. I'm Roji Moreria, the mayor of this small town."

"You're the mayor. I'll be in your care for a day or so."

"Hehehe, it's a small town, but the people are kind, and the food is good. You'll be comfortable here."

The mayor, who smiled kindly and patted Mina's head, said, "I hope to see you again," and left. Reta bowed to his back and headed for the equipment shop he had been told about.

"Hello!"

"Hello, hello."

As they greeted and stepped into the shop, they were welcomed by a variety of scents and a typical selection of equipment. An elderly, stout woman sat at the counter in the back.

"Oh? I don't recognize you. Are you adventurers?"

"Nice to meet you. I'm Reta. The mayor told me about this equipment shop, so I came here."

"I'm Mina."

"Oh, thank you. I'm Nell. The mayor's wife... it might sound good, but I'm the shop owner, so don't be formal. So, what can I do for you?"

"I want to buy shoes and clothes for this child."

"Hmm."

Frankly, the sight of a man carrying a little girl was not normal. The mayor had mistaken them for a mother and daughter, but others might think he was a kidnapper. Reta and Mina had different hair colors, after all.

"Do you have a story?"

"What do you think?"

"Well, what is it?"

"Um, we just met yesterday, so I don't really know her situation. She doesn't seem to have a guardian, and it's still cold, so I at least wanted to get her some proper clothes."

Lying wouldn't help, so he decided to tell the truth. Nell looked at Reta and Mina for a while, then said,

"Alright. You don't seem like a bad person, and the girl seems to trust you. Come this way. The shop is clean, so you can walk around barefoot if you want."

Nell, who welcomed them as customers, smiled and beckoned them. Mina, who looked a bit anxious, nodded when Reta whispered, "It's okay," and got down from his arms.

"I didn't notice before, but you're wearing quite ragged clothes. I'm not sure if they can even be called clothes. Couldn't you have provided her with better clothes?"

"She was wearing these when we met. I'm sorry. I was on a journey and didn't have any girls' clothes with me."

"...I see. I'm sorry. But why was such a small child..."

Reta felt the same way. He wondered why Mina was wandering around in the cold, barefoot, and wrapped in rags. However, he hesitated to ask her, as he hadn't earned her trust yet. He had hoped she might know someone in this town, but the mayor and his wife's reactions suggested that was unlikely.

"I'll get her a sturdy dress. She can wear pants and boots underneath, which should be enough for a short journey. Come on, young lady, try it on?"

"Y-Yes."

At the owner's urging, Mina glanced at Reta and went into the fitting room. Nell spoke to Reta, who was left behind.

"Does that young lady have any relatives?"

"Actually, I was hoping she might know someone in this town."

"Unfortunately, I've never seen her. It's a small town, and I know all the residents."

"...I see. Tomorrow, we're heading to Amrus. I hope we find someone who knows her there."

While he said that, he was also considering the possibility that she had no guardian or acquaintances. Even if she did, someone who would dress a young girl in rags was not trustworthy. It was worrying either way.

"You seem like a good person. Most people wouldn't get so involved with a child they just met."

"R-Really?"

"I'm complimenting you. That girl is lucky to have met someone like you. Take responsibility, okay?"

"Of course."

As they were talking, Mina came out of the fitting room.

"Wow. You look so cute now."

She was wearing a long-sleeved dress in shades of blue and white pants. Her feet were in laced boots. She looked more like a traveler than an adventurer. However, in the clothes that a girl her age would like, Mina looked very cute.

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