We've returned to The Capital! In fact, we're at the Adventurer's Guild now! Ashin's over there collecting the reward, while I and Ai are just sitting around at one of the tables. Quenilla's actually with him, while Theca is just... you know, I don't actually know where they are.
Oh, looks like Ashin and Quenilla are done, and now they're both back here.
"Hey, you two! We've gotten the reward!" He spoke, holding up a bag of what I could only assume was three gold coins in silver considering its size, "so, it's fifty silvers, right?"
Uh, no, it's sixty... did he seriously forget? I mean, I don't have the best math skills, but I can at least remember that! Oh, Ai's glaring at him pretty intensely. If looks could kill, Ashin would be dead three times over...
"Oh! Haha, haha... that, uh, reminds me! It's sixty silver, not fifty. My mistake! Sorry!" He rubbed the back of his head, obviously a bit nervous because of Ai. You know, it seems with Ai, lots of the time words aren't even necessary to get her point across... I mean, even Quenilla was a bit frightened by that look Ai gave Ashin.
Hm? Oh, he gave sixty silver to me, and sixty to me. I guess it's an okay reward... but considering we spent seven days on the request, it's a bit of a letdown... I'm not really in need of money at the moment, so I guess it doesn't matter.
Oh, wait, Theca is back! The very moment we returned to The Capital, they went off somewhere, right? So, I guess they finished whatever it was they were doing.
"Oh, hey, Theca! What were you up to?"
"I was signing all of us up for the tournament as you told me to." Huh? Ashin told them to go sign us up, then? I don't remember him doing that... did I not hear it, then? No, my hearing is great! Hm.
"Eh...? I never told you to do that!" Wait, so he didn't? This is getting so confusing...
"Oh, right. You didn't, but I did even so." What... what's that even supposed to mean? Damn you, Theca, with your convoluted speech! Talk normally for goodness sake!
"... Why?"
"I felt like it." Right, that's pretty obvious, huh? Theca might act as they think everything through, but they totally don't. They just do whatever they feel like... I can't say I don't do the same most of the time, but it's still a bit annoying sometimes.
"And, you would have taken much longer, either way." Okay, I can't say I disagree with that thought, despite the fact I haven't known him long, he seems like the type that would get distracted...
"Well, I guess you're right! I'd probably spend all of my time talking with the person who works there! I might even forget why I went there! Haha!" Well, at least he's self-aware.
"Yes, you most certainly would," Theca responded, looking Ashin dead in the eye.
And then, it went silent... other than the other people speaking, of course. It seems the complete and utter halt in conversation is becoming a trend...
"So.... do any of you have any plans?" Ashin broke the silence. Wait, this is the perfect chance for me to get out of this situation!
"Yes." And with me saying that, I left immediately! I'm pretty lucky he just went and gave me the perfect chance to leave, huh?
Oh, right, as always, Ai proceeds to just follow me. I mean, it's not surprising, considering that's pretty much all she does.
So, what is it I'm planning on doing?
Uh... I don't know, actually. I didn't exactly think that far ahead. What is there to do? I mean, maybe I could buy something with the money I got? I mean... I'm not really in need of anything. I guess I could go buy some mana cores since my mana is getting a bit low. I mean, even then, my mana isn't that low at the moment... but I guess it's never bad to be prepared, right?
Hm, alright, let's go there, then! Luckily for me, I remember exactly where the vendor that sold some mana cores to me is!
...
Okay, small problem, I don't. That or the shop no longer exists. Damn it... I came all the way here for no reason, then.
Hm? To the left of me, there's this store I haven't actually seen before! Or, maybe I just completely forgot about seeing it. Anyway, I'm sorta curious about what's inside, so let's go!
Oh, it seems to be a pretty normal place, sells all sorts of things, I see. Basically everything... Including a few mana cores! Yes, just what I was looking for!
Again, another small problem. The one who probably runs the shop is being held up by the collar of his shirt by another man who's obviously extremely angry. Not that it really matters, but the store owner is a human, and the angry one is a beastman.
The beastman was about 5'9, with a cleanly shaved face and long brown hair tied up in the back. He was wearing some armour, so he might actually be an adventurer, considering that's the profession I've seen beastmen in The Capital to be.
"You wanna run that by me again? You won't sell to 'my kind'? And what the hell is that supposed to mean." The Beastman spoke clearly despite his current feelings, narrowing his eyes at the store owner.
"I..." The shopkeep gulped, "I believe I made myself clear, it is against my beliefs to sell to the likes of you."
Oh, I get it now, the shop owner is the bad guy here. Geez, I guess I got a few clues along the way, but a lot of humans look down on other races like beastmen and demons, huh? But, even so, I get how he could be angry, but this seriously can't be the right way of doing this. I mean, he's only giving them more reason to hate beastmen.
Uh oh, the beastman is about to punch the guy. Huh...? Oh, Ai is suddenly there, stopping him from actually attacking the shopkeep. Wait, I didn't even see her walk there. Geez, she can be pretty dang sneaky, huh?
"You're only validating their prejudices." She looked him in the eye, unblinking.
Prejudices...? Hold up, what does that word mean again? Damn it, it's not like it matters, but it's a matter of pride! Seriously, what does it mean...? Oh, nevermind, I guess I'll just never know.
"Huh? What was that, kid?" The Beastman turned to look at Ai, noticing they were of the same species. Although, Ai and the other beastman seem to be of different types. I mean, they're both more humanoid, but like, different, still. Anyway, he continued to speak, "oh... damn it, you're right."
The beastman put the shopkeep down, but still giving him a dirty look.
Ai, then continued, proceeding to speak to the shopkeep instead, "Discrimination and refusal to sell to other races is a crime in Draila, if you continue, I would be forced to alert the local guard."
"Oh? And what would a brat like you know? I doubt any knight would even believe the words of one such as you. " With the Beastman calmed down, the shopkeep became more confident, smirking.
"Obviously more than you... and, even if they didn't, if you would look behind me, my companion is a human." Eh? She's bringing me into this? Oh, come on, I'm just a bystander here! She's acting pretty confident now, too... I'm not even human! And, she definitely knows that.
The shop owner clicked their tongue, looking right at me... stop it! I don't like that! I'll just... continue to stand here, I guess.
"So, will you continue to refuse service, or cease your petty 'beliefs'?"
"Fine..." The Store owner groaned, taking a small bottle filled with a blue liquid from under the table, sliding it over closer to the Beastman, "Two silver.
The beastman smiled, handing the man the amount he asked for, "Heh, seems today was my lucky day." And with that said, he took the potion and left out the door.
Geez, Ai is pretty cool sometimes. I mean, she practically just defused this entire conflict! I'm actually pretty impressed!
Well, anyway, I guess with that done, we can leave... though, I can't help but feel like I'm forgetting something. Oh, it's probably nothing, let's just go!
[Chapter 38, end]