Chapter 3

Harassed at the Weapon Shop
I went into town to buy fertilizer for my plants.

While I was at it, I figured I'd see if I could discover some kind of application for the Conversation skill...

"... Applications aren't exactly something you come up with that easily, huh?"

"Of course not. I spent ages thinking about mine."

Yeah, figures… hm?

I stopped and looked back.

Lufen was standing there with a blank look on her face.

"... Why are you following me?"

"I'm bored."

Then instead of hanging around me, why don't you go find yourself a boyfriend or two? You're gonna miss your chance to get married.

"You just thought something incredibly rude, didn't you?"

"N-no idea what you're talking about."

How the hell did she know? Was that another application of her skill?

"It's written all over your face."

I see.

Without saying anything else, I headed toward Merchant Ring Street, where all the weapon and armor shops were lined up.
Ahh, what a peaceful little town… it'd be even better if there were fewer people.

Merchant Ring Street was bustling no matter when you came.
For someone like me who hated people, it was the worst.

But the shops were only open during the day… beggars couldn't be choosers.

I kept as close to the edge of the street as possible and headed for the plant shop… when it happened.

(I don't wanna fiiight~)

(It's too much wooork~)

I heard some strange voices.

I stopped and looked toward where they'd come from.

"... The weapons’ shop...?"

"Huh? What? Have you finally started taking an interest in weapons?"

"Not even a little."

But… what were those voices?

Ignoring Lufen, who was pouting with puffed-up cheeks, I walked over to the weapon shop.
A suit of armor was displayed out front, so I looked up at it.

"... You guys don't want to fight?"

(Noooope~)

(Too much trooouble~)

(I'm made for swords, not armor~)

… Better suited for a sword than armor?

"Wait a second. Are you saying you all have things you're suited for and things you're not?"

(((We dooo~)))

They all answered in unison.
S-Seriously? I had no idea.

Just to be sure, I stepped inside the weapon shop.
There were two customers and the shopkeeper. No one else.

"Hey, Dyrel, what's gotten into you?"

"No, there's just something I'm curious about..."

I walked over to a barrel with swords carelessly stuck into it.

Dozens of swords were all complaining that they didn't want to fight, or that they couldn't be bothered.

But… this one was different.

The moment I picked it up, it gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight, as if it'd been waiting for me.

"You want to fight?"

(I dooo~ I'm super, super motivated~)

It didn't sound particularly enthusiastic from its voice… still, somehow it really did seem to shine differently from the others.

The barrel had a sign carved into it.

Holding that sword, I walked over to where the expensive swords were displayed.

One of them cost a thousand gold coins. An absurd price.

"I'll ask both of you. Could you beat the other?"

The ten-copper sword answered,

(Eeeeasy-peasy~)

The thousand-gold sword answered,

(Maybe, but probably nooooot~)

Seriously? The expensive sword looked impressive too.

Could it be… was it the quality of the iron?
If poor-quality iron was used, then no matter how beautiful the exterior was, it'd still be fragile.
On the other hand, if good-quality iron was used, then it could even beat an expensive sword.

...

"Hey, Dyrel. Why'd you suddenly go quiet?"

"... Lufen. I think I've just found…"

"Hey, hey. Pipe down already, you lovebirds."

Someone suddenly interrupted us.

When I turned around, I found the huge man who'd been shopping in the store.

He looked like exactly the kind of thug you'd expect. I hated guys like this. They never listened to anyone.
Also… they were just plain terrifying. What do I do...? I feel like crying.

As I froze in place, Lufen stepped in front of me protectively.

"We were being loud. Sorry about that."

"Tch. Having a girl protect you? That's pretty pathetic, brat... though..."

The thug's gaze shifted to Lufen.
It was filled with obvious malice. A filthy look.

"Hey, gorgeous. Forget the kid and come have some fun with me. I'll treat you real nice."

"Sorry to disappoint you. I'm not interested in low-class men."

H-Hey, Lufen. You're being way too fearless...!?
The thug frowned, but a grin quickly spread across his face.

"I like that. Women oughta have some spirit. Makes me wanna break 'em even more."

An arm as thick as a log reached toward Lufen.
That was way too forceful.

Without thinking, I grabbed Lufen's arm and pulled her away from him.

Her eyes widened in surprise. Hey, I can step up when I have to. Though if this turned into a fight, I'd probably be flattened in an instant.

"L-let's go, Lufen. We're leaving."

"You're not getting away, brat."

But he moved around and cut us off.

Damn it. How could a guy that big move so fast in such a cramped shop?

I turned to ask the shopkeeper for help…
There was nobody behind the counter.

Damn it. The bastard ran.
The thug cracked his knuckles and rolled his neck.

Uh… what do I do?

What do I actually do...!?

The two of us backed away together, but that only left us with nowhere to run.

This is seriously bad, isn't it?

Somebody, help…

"Hey. You."

A sword suddenly slid between me and the thug.

Its beautifully polished blade caught my eye for a moment.

The man holding it glared sharply at the thug.

"Trying to pick up women in a sacred weapon shop? Your insolence knows no bounds. Do not think this knight, Asro, will stand by and watch."

A... knight...? Why was there a knight in this town...?

The knight and the thug locked eyes.

Lufen anxiously watched the two of them.
Meanwhile… I was watching their weapons.

The knight's sword said,

(Ahh~ I don't think I can wiiin~)

The thug's axe said,

(Against this sword? Easy wiiin~)

… Huh??

What do you think about this chapter?