Chapter 18

The winds herald urgency...

■■■■■■■■■■

018＿Magic Sword

■■■■■■■■■■

It's the ninth day since my reincarnation. Today is a day off.

I was able to sleep well last night because I stayed up all night the day before. Thanks to that, I woke up early in the morning and can gaze at Annelise's sleeping face like this.

Whether she's awake or asleep, whether it's bright or dark, Annelise is cute. That's a fact. Yeah, no doubt about it.

As I nod to myself, Annelise's eyelids slowly rise.

"Master... Good morning."

"Yeah. Good morning. Annelise, you're beautiful today too."

I was worried she might turn back into an old woman, but even after two nights, Annelise is still cute.

"No, that's not true..."

"If I say it, it's true."

"...Yes."

Cuteness is justice.

I stroke Annelise's shimmering golden hair. It's so smooth and shiny, slipping through my fingers. It's strange; even without shampoo or soap, her hair is so silky.

Well, it's fine. They say that beautiful people have silky, fluffy hair across time and space (though that's a lie).

Since it's just right, I'll look for soap today. If there isn't any, I'll consider making it myself. I can make soap, after all.

"Umm, it's cold today too. But thanks to Annelise, I was warm. Thank you."

"I was warm too and slept soundly."

Sleeping in the same bed is good because we keep each other warm. Even in summer, we'll sleep together!

I get dressed, but of course, I can't help but stare at Annelise. I can't stop this. If Annelise didn't like it, I would stop, but there's no sign of that yet.

"Your skin is flawless and unblemished."

"That's not true..."

Annelise's blushing and bashful manner is so innocent and cute.

After breakfast, we go out together. We're not exploring the dungeon today, so we're wearing regular clothes.

"Let's go to a store Annelise likes today."

"Is that okay?"

"Sure. Let's go where Annelise wants to go."

Annelise's chest sways as she walks happily. Even with a bandage, what shakes will shake.

First, we go to a weapon shop. I wondered why a weapon shop, but Annelise looked at swords and staves with joy.

Next, we visit an armor shop. It mainly deals with metal armor. The third shop is also an armor shop, but this one has more leather products.

Is Annelise a muscle head? No, she's so cute, I think she'll want to go to a clothing store too. She must be considering me. That's for sure.

"You don't have to consider me."

She only smiles back, neither denying nor confirming. Which is it?

For lunch, we go to a slightly fancy place. It's famous for something like pancakes. Girls like sweet things, and Annelise is no exception.

Annelise's expression has been very soft since she became young again, but when she eats pancakes, her eyes are so happy they almost droop. I thought, "She's a girl."

Since we came to this kind of place, it seems she decided not to consider me anymore.

Next, will it be a clothing store, an accessory store, or a general store to look at stylish items?

The first store in the afternoon was a weapon shop. Why only weapon and armor shops? You don't have to consider me.

"Let's go to the Gorteo Store next."

"The Gorteo Store, huh."

It's a general store, so they have all sorts of things, including clothes and accessories.

As we walk towards the Gorteo Store, Annelise grabs the hem of my clothes.

"What's wrong?"

"Please listen without turning around."

"...Okay."

"We're being followed."

What, that's scary.

"Do you know them?"

"I've never seen them before."

"You mean there's more than one?"

"The magic perception detects three magic signatures. They're following us while keeping their distance."

"...It's not just my imagination, then."

Annelise's eyes are serious. She must have checked carefully before telling me.

What's the purpose of those three? It's unlikely to be related to me. I've only been in this world for less than ten days, so the chances of such an event happening to me, who has few acquaintances, are low.

Then it must be Annelise? Maybe it's a victim or a relative of the victims from Annelise's explosion accident. I think it's a high possibility, but it's dangerous to narrow it down to just that. But since Annelise's appearance has changed, they shouldn't be able to recognize her.

Another possibility is a stalker attracted to Annelise's cuteness.

If I could at least see their faces, I could do a detailed appraisal. Right, I'll try to lure them into a visible position.

"I want to see their faces. Can you guide them?"

"I'll try."

As we talk, the Gorteo Store comes into view. Annelise and I pretend to chat while looking at the display in the shop window, trying to get the three into our line of sight.

"The one in gray clothes, the one with a red bandana, and the third one is hidden behind a building and can't be seen."

"Seeing two of them is good enough."

── Detailed Appraisal activated.

The one in gray is Garia. The one with the red bandana is Kyurs. Both are thieves.

The detailed appraisal tells me that these are the companions of the thieves I killed, and they are targeting me.

I didn't expect that event to have such a lasting impact. Is it because they can't be thieves if they're underestimated? Whatever, I don't care.

If the Gorteo's caravan hadn't passed by, they would have attacked me, right? There's no way I would consider such a thing. I was pretty flustered at the time, and I didn't have the luxury to think about it.

Basically, if you don't want to be killed, don't be a thief. It's just resentment. I wonder if their heads are filled with feces instead of brains.

"They're thieves."

"Figures."

"Did you know?"

"No, I just thought they might be because of how they look."

Both of them have bad eyes.

It's good they're targeting me. If it were Annelise, I would have been in a dilemma. Since they're thieves, I can deal with them without mercy.

"Keep an eye on their movements."

I can't see them, but I can sense their magic.

"Sure, leave it to me."

We enter the Gorteo Store. Come to think of it, I haven't used the Burgant and Gugurt I bought before.

I don't have many opportunities to cook, so I can't use them. Maybe I'll rent an apartment when I earn more. Do they have apartments here?

"Welcome, Mr. Toi."

The deputy manager, not Gorteo, greets us with a smile. He's the one who helped with Annelise's slave contract. He's not particularly handsome, but he's not ugly either.

"Is Annelise not with you today?"

"Uh..."

How should I answer?

If I say the young and cute girl in front of me is Annelise, will he believe me?

I asked Annelise with my eyes how to answer, but she just tilted her head.

"This girl is Annelise."

"Huh? ...You must be joking."

"It's true. It's a secret, though."

"Secret, huh... I won't reveal any customer information."

He's a professional. He'll probably become the manager in a few years. I don't know, though.

"Let me see the merchandise."

"Sure, please, please."

He leads us into the store with a smile.

I let Annelise look around as she pleases. First, we go to the weapon display area. Why is she so fixated on weapons?

"That's a good weapon."

Annelise is captivated by a sword that faintly glows blue.

The store is filled with glass, and the sunlight illuminates the interior. But it seems the sword itself is glowing, not the light.

"That's a Thunder Sword, a magic sword. It discharges electricity when you attack, shocking the enemy."

Is there such a thing as a magic sword? I want to get one someday.

"This is a Life Drain Sword, also a magic sword."

The Life Drain Sword is black and shiny. If you're cut by it, it drains 20 HP in addition to the damage. It's terrifying.

With this sword, you can deal damage to enemies with hard defenses. It's a very powerful magic sword.

"That's out of reach for now."

The Thunder Sword costs 6 million grils, and the Life Drain Sword costs 8 million grils. It's enough to buy a house in the suburbs of Tokyo.

"The Thunder Sword is a famous magic sword, but I haven't heard of the Life Drain Sword. Was it made by Kujata?"

"No, the Life Drain Sword wasn't made by Kujata. The maker requested anonymity, so I can't reveal more, but I can assure you of its quality."

If there's a maker, it means magic swords can be made even if they're not from the dungeon. I want to be able to order custom-made magic swords.

Next, we look at the staves.

"This is a magic staff."

Is there such a thing as a magic staff?

Apparently, there are also magic spears, and even magic armor that has effects on armor. These are collectively called magic equipment.

"Are there weapons and armor with automatic repair effects?"

"Weapons and armor with automatic repair effects are popular. They require little maintenance and are reasonably priced."

My mithril greatsword is also a type of magic equipment. It's popular among lazy explorers because it's maintenance-free.

The deputy manager said that an automatic repair magic sword costs 2 million grils. That's expensive.

"Magic swords and magic spears are made from magic ores that are rarer than mithril. There are few blacksmiths who can forge magic swords, which makes them expensive."

With rare materials and few makers, it's natural that they're expensive. And since they have that much value, they sell even at these prices.

After the weapons and armor sections, I suggest we look at clothes.

On the way, something interesting catches my eye.

"This is a magic stove. It's more convenient and powerful than a wood stove for cooking."

A magic stove apparently needs a magic stone to work. The store has magic stones, which start at 500 grils each.

The stove has two burners and an oven, making it very practical. The height is just right.

I used to cook every day in Japan, so I want it. It costs 120,000 grils. I can afford it. I want it. But I have nowhere to put it.

Living in an inn, I have no place to use a magic stove (sigh).

Thank you for reading.

I hope you continue to enjoy this work.

Please also consider bookmarking and liking it.

If you enjoyed it, please rate it.

You can rate it from ☆☆☆☆☆ to ★★★★★. The minimum is ★1, and the maximum is ★5.

A ★★★★★ rating would make me very happy (＾◇＾)