Chapter 17

"Hey, isn't that Shield An? It's been a week, hasn't it?"

In the town below the castle, there's really nowhere for us to go except the shopping district. The old man at the weapon shop suddenly opened his mouth in surprise as he looked at Raphatal.

"You've changed a lot since I last saw you... You've grown into a beautiful young lady."

"Huh?"

What is he talking about? The old man is spouting nonsense.

"You've filled out... You look so different from when you were all skin and bones last time."

"Don't say it like I've gained weight."

Raphatal fidgeted and answered, kneading her hands. Her attitude was unpleasant! It reminded me of that damn woman.

"Hahaha, you've grown up so well."

"Grown up? Well, my level has gone up."

About a week ago, I was level 10, but now I'm 25. If that's reflected in my physical appearance, then so be it.

"Hmm... You've become quite a simpleton, haven't you?"

"What are you talking about?"

After all, anyone would think a girl who looks ten years old is cute, right? But maybe she has gained a bit of weight recently because I've been feeding her mostly meat. She often complained about being hungry, so I cooked and fed her the meat of the monsters we encountered. I was worried about her diet becoming unbalanced and causing her legs to swell, so I mixed in some herbs to try to balance it out. Recently, she hasn't been coughing anymore, probably because of the medicine I gave her.

"What have you been doing for the past week? Just fighting?"

"I learned table manners from the innkeeper. I wanted to eat more gracefully like Master Naofumi."

"Seems like things are going well."

The old man at the weapon shop seemed to be in a good mood. Maybe I can haggle for better equipment. Flatter him more, Raphatal.

"So, what brings you here today?"

"I want to buy some equipment."

I pointed at Raphatal, and she grabbed my shoulder with a creepy smile.

"This time, I want to buy Master Naofumi's armor."

"I get it, but why are you so worked up about it?"

"Put your hand on your heart and think about it."

"Hmm... Maybe to prepare for the waves?"

"I can see your true feelings, and what the young lady is trying to convey..."

What is this guy talking about? We decided a long time ago that I would buy my own equipment.

"Alright, so you want to buy your own armor. How much are you willing to spend?"

"Please, within 180 silver coins."

Raphatal blurted out the price. I'm getting pretty irritated. At that price, we won't be able to buy anything better than my current weapon!

"Let's see... For a balanced set of armor, chainmail would be the best."

"Chainmail... Huh!"

Almost unconsciously, a deep, dark feeling welled up from the bottom of my stomach. Why should I have to buy back equipment that was originally mine?

"Well... If Shield An doesn't like it, I can't force it."

The old man, who seemed to understand the situation, scratched his nose and nodded, then shifted his gaze to another set of armor.

"In that case, an iron cuirass might be within your budget."

He pointed to a set of armor. It was a full plate made of iron, the kind you see in castles as decorations. I know this type of armor, called full plate mail, is said to make it difficult to move and even impossible to get up on your own, and there are stories of people drowning in swamps while wearing it in my world.

"As long as you have the stamina, you should be able to manage. The downside is that it's not Airwake processed."

"Airwake processed?"

"It's a process that uses the wearer's magic to reduce the weight. It's very effective."

"I see."

So, in this world, a full set of armor without Airwake processing is like a moving target. But he also said that with enough stamina, it's manageable. However, I don't have that much stamina.

"If you remove the heavier parts, it will be cheaper and lighter..."

"An, you were thinking about that, weren't you?"

"Of course."

"In that case, an iron cuirass would be cheaper. It covers a smaller area, though."

"Hmm... I need the defense, but I can't afford to lose agility..."

It's good to be a wall, but if I can't protect, it's a big problem. I want to avoid equipment that hinders movement as much as possible. I wonder how much it would cost to get Airwake processing.

"Another option is to bring materials and have it custom-made..."

"That sounds good, I like that idea."

"An, you have that look on your face... Let's see..."

The old man spread out a parchment with material names and a rough design.

"I can't read it."

I can't read the script in this world. Shield translates everything for me, which is how we communicate. The old man looked puzzled and explained.

"Buy cheap copper and iron from the workshop, and bring Usapil and Yamaara hides, and Piqupiqu feathers."

"We have the hides and feathers."

Raphatal smiled and took out the hides and feathers from her bag. They were from the bedding she used because they were warm, but... it's fine.

"They're a bit worn, but they should still be usable."

"What can you make with these?"

"Barbarian armor. It's as good as chainmail, but it covers a wider area and is resistant to cold."

"Hmm..."

Barbarian armor... That sounds a bit ominous.

"If you add bones as an extra option, it will have magical effects, but you can do that later when you have the materials."

"Thanks. I'll go buy the iron and copper then."

"Let's go! Let's go right now!"

Raphatal enthusiastically pulled me to go buy the materials.

"What's the rush?"

"This will make Master Naofumi look like a proper adventurer. Why wait?"

"Well... I guess..."

I was told I looked like a villager. This might make me look a bit more wild, but it's better than nothing. So, we went to the metal workshop and bought the iron and copper. The old man from the weapon shop must have talked to them, because they sold it to us at a good price. Apparently, they gave us a discount because Raphatal is so cute. The old men at the metal workshop were grinning at Raphatal, who was waving back cheerfully. I want to lecture them on how many Lolicon complexes there are in this world.

"The materials were gathered quickly."

"Thanks to An's hard work."

"Actually, I have a couple of things to point out about the old man's friends being Lolicons."

"Lolicons? What are you talking about?"

"Do you not understand the meaning of Lolicon? Shield should be able to translate it."

"I don't think I have any friends with a taste for young girls..."

"They sold it to us cheap because Raphatal is cute."

"An... Do you really not understand?"

"What?"

Raphatal shook her head.

"Never mind, let's move on."

The old man seemed to catch on and shrugged, then turned back to me.

"I'll have it ready by tomorrow. Can you wait until then?"

"That's fast. I thought it would take at least two days."

"Well, it would take that long if I didn't know you, but you're An, after all."

"Thanks, I appreciate it."

"Hehe, it makes my butt itch."

I felt like a fool for being grateful.

"So, how much will the custom-made armor cost?"

"Including the cost of the copper and iron... 130 silver coins. That includes the expansion option."

"The bones, right? I just need to bring them?"

"Yes, 130 silver coins, including the cost of the bones. I can't go any lower."

"Alright, that's fine."

I took out 130 silver coins and gave them to the old man.

"Anytime."

"By the way, I also want a weapon for 90 silver coins."

"That's for the young lady, right?"

"Yes."

I have a sword that was rusty but has been polished and is now a regular sword, which I might trade in.

"Raphatal."

"Yes."

Raphatal took out her sword and placed it on the counter.

"Please include the trade-in, and the sword I received as well."

"Hmm... You've been taking good care of it this time."

"Thanks to my shield."

If I put the polishing shield in before bed, it's usually done by morning. The edge doesn't dull much either.

"What a convenient shield... I want one too."

"You can't equip weapons with it."

My attack power is so low that I'm just a wall. If it were possible, I'd be happy to trade it. If it were possible.

"That's a problem."

I felt irritated as the old man laughed.

"The rusty sword has really improved. Impressive performance from a legendary shield."

The old man examined the formerly rusty sword with admiration.

"With this, I can sell you a magic iron sword."

I remember magic iron is a step above regular iron swords.

"Does it have the Blood Clean coating?"

"Yes, I'll add it for free. I can see you've been working hard, An."

The old man is a good guy. He's been helping me since I was penniless.

"Thanks..."

I sincerely thanked the old man.

"You have the same look in your eyes as when we first met. That's good. You've shown me something great."

The old man handed Raphatal the magic iron sword with satisfaction.

"A good weapon can make you stronger, but if you don't have the ability to match it, the weapon is wasted. But you two can handle it. Young lady, keep it up."

"Yes!"

Raphatal's eyes sparkled as she put the sword in its sheath.

"Come back around this time tomorrow."

"Alright."

"Thank you!"

We left the weapon shop. Since it was past noon, I thought about getting something to eat. I'm hungry, even though nothing tastes good. I have 10 silver coins left. The past week and a bit have flown by.

"Well, if it performs as expected, it's a good investment for the future. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to earn money."

"Shall we go to the same place we went before for lunch?"

"Is that okay?"

"I'll let you have what you wanted to eat last time."

"Stop it! I'm not a child anymore!"

Raphatal, who had been in a good mood until now, pouted and crossed her arms. What is she trying to prove by acting grown-up after just a week?

"Alright, alright. I know you really want it. I get it."

"Master Naofumi isn't listening to me at all."

"It's fine. Act your age. You really want it, don't you?"

"You're looking at me with those condescending eyes! I don't need it!"

She's such a troublesome age. We went to the restaurant that serves those kids' meals.

"Welcome!"

Oh, we were greeted by a friendly server and seated at a table. Maybe my new hairstyle is working. It was pretty bad last time.

"I'll have the cheapest set meal, and the child's meal with a flag for this one."

"Master Naofumi!"

The server looked back and forth between us, looking confused.

"Um, I'll have the cheapest set meal, please."

"O-Okay."

The server nodded and went back to the kitchen.

"What's going on? Do you really not want it?"

"I said, I'm fine now."

"Ugh... Fine. I'll indulge your whims. It's my duty as your master to let you eat what you want."

We entered the restaurant that serves those kids' meals.

"Welcome!"

Oh, we were greeted by a friendly server and seated at a table. Maybe my new hairstyle is working. It was pretty bad last time.

"I'll have the cheapest set meal, and the child's meal with a flag for this one."

"Master Naofumi!"

The server looked back and forth between us, looking confused.

"Um, I'll have the cheapest set meal, please."

"O-Okay."

The server nodded and went back to the kitchen.

"What's going on? Do you really not want it?"

"I said, I'm fine now."

"Ugh... Fine. I'll indulge your whims. It's my duty as your master to let you eat what you want."