On that usual morning, the four of us gathered together to have breakfast at the inn. As I sat there, sipping my tea, I couldn't help but wonder how long they would keep us renting this place. It had become our home for a while now, but I refrained from asking Blanc about it, knowing she would probably brag about it all day if given the chance.
But before I could dwell on that thought any longer, Blanc suddenly stood up, breaking the morning tranquility. "Today, we should explore this world," she declared, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
I nearly choked on my tea in surprise. "Huh?" I stammered, caught off guard by her sudden proclamation.
Lily quickly chimed in, agreeing, "That's right! It's about time we gather more information about this world."
Lady Sakuya, sitting beside us, remained as composed as ever, continuing to sip her green tea without a care. It seemed like nothing could faze her at this point.
Blanc elaborated on her idea, "Considering we have to learn and find out more about this world, it's the right time to start our exploration. Besides, this town lacks basic necessities like schools and libraries for educational purposes."
"I suppose moving to a city might be a good idea," I suggested, thinking about the possibilities that a city might offer. We had been in this town for quite some time, and a change of scenery could be refreshing.
"That's true, but we still don't know enough about the cities and their surroundings. Moving without having all the information could put us in danger from unknown threats," Blanc explained, her tone serious and thoughtful. "However, if we're confident that it's safe for our princess, we can consider it."
To my surprise, Lady Sakuya nodded in agreement, showing her support for Blanc's point. This alliance between them was something I never expected to see, and it had a strange mix of emotions for me.
"Wait, you both agreed? And you're even teasing me together?" I asked, incredulous at their cooperation.
"It's a rare occasion, so enjoy it while it lasts," Blanc said with a smirk, clearly amused by the situation.
"Tatiana's safety is our top priority, and we can find common ground on that," Lady Sakuya explained, giving her reasons for the unexpected alliance.
Blanc shared her plan to explore parts of the town she hadn't visited yet, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "We should start there," she suggested confidently, stroking her hair with self-assurance.
"I'd be happy to accompany you on your venture, Lady Blanc," Lily offered eagerly, raising her hand in a show of enthusiasm.
Blanc waved her off dismissively. "Suit yourself, just don't complain to me when your feet hurt," she teased, knowing Lily's excitement might wane after some time.
As I watched them interact, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy. I wanted to spend time with Lily too, but the idea of being alone with Blanc made me hesitate.
"What about Lady Tatiana and Lady Sakuya?" Lily inquired, turning her gaze towards us.
Blanc fixed her eyes on me, and Lady Sakuya remained impassive as always, giving nothing away.
"I actually wanted to see the outside world for a bit, if that's alright," I admitted, hoping they would understand my desire to explore beyond the town's borders.
Blanc paused, deep in thought, her brows furrowing as she considered my request. It was evident that she was concerned about my safety.
"I want to beat some monsters," Lady Sakuya suddenly spoke up, her eyes gleaming with determination.
"Monsters?" Lily asked, her curiosity piqued.
Drawing from my readings on monsters, I recalled what Blanc and Lady Sakuya had shared with me about them.
Blanc continued explaining, "Monsters are beings that possess magical energy and have the inclination to cause havoc among nearby people or animals. They grow stronger by killing, and there's a mysterious reason behind their behavior that causes trouble for people."
"I've heard that monsters tend to avoid places where lots of humans are located. Some people have made fortunes from hunting monsters," Lily added, recounting conversations she had with the townspeople.
As we considered the idea of monsters and the potential dangers they posed, the room fell silent.
Blanc finally broke the silence, returning to her relaxed position on the table. "It would be dangerous for the princess to go out there alone. However, if one of us accompanies her, I believe we can allow it."
Lady Sakuya nodded in agreement, giving her silent approval.
"But before we head out on our adventure, Lily suggested we stop by a store she knows," Blanc said, changing the topic.
As we walked through town, the four of us drew attention from the townsfolk due to our striking appearances. While the attention made me uncomfortable, I couldn't deny the beauty of my companions.
Finally, we arrived at the store called "Luto and Jean Workshop." The place resounded with the clang of metal and the ongoing work at the forge. Confused about why we were there, I couldn't help but ask Blanc.
Blanc's idea of getting new clothes had caught me off guard, and I couldn't help but voice my confusion. "To get new clothes, of course," she replied confidently, as if my question was absurd.
Lily chimed in with her own reason, "That's right, Lady Tatiana. You don't want to ruin your dresses while walking outside, right?"
I had to admit they had a point, but I couldn't shake off the fact that we were standing in an armor store. "I suppose that's true, but isn't this an armor store?" I questioned, trying to make sense of the situation.
Before anyone could respond, the sound of heavy boots approached us, making me jump in surprise. A bald-headed man in a working apron came forward to greet us. Startled and a little scared, I instinctively ran back to Blanc for protection.
The man chuckled warmly at my reaction. "Hoh? It seems that the little girl got scared. Here, have some candy," he said, offering candy to both Blanc and me.
I hesitated for a moment but then thanked him, finding comfort in his kind gesture despite his intimidating appearance.
Blanc, always quick to assert herself, retorted, "We came here, not for candy, old man. We wanted to find some clothes." She had a knack for being direct, which some might interpret as rude, but I knew her intentions were never malicious.
Still, she took the candy anyway, and I couldn't help but smile at the interaction between them.
Meanwhile, Lady Sakuya seemed intrigued by the armor pieces on display. I couldn't help but wonder if her admiration would lead her to try on one of the suits of armor.
The store owner, perhaps sensing our confusion, apologized and explained, "I'm sorry, this is not the place for your choice. We specialize in armor and steel products."
Amused by the situation, I chimed in, "See, that's what I've been telling all of you. This was a nonsense attempt of a joke."
With a friendly gesture, the shop owner pointed to the inside of the store. "If you want frilly dresses and cute clothes, you can head inside. We have a separate section for that," he explained, revealing a small door with inviting light peeking out.
My curiosity piqued, I questioned his answer, "What?"
Not one to miss an opportunity for a good shopping spree, we all headed inside, delving deeper into the store.
The interior surprised me. The two sides of the store were entirely different - one filled with rough, metallic armor, and the other adorned with delicate, beautiful clothes, beautifully illuminated by warm lights.
Lily whispered to me, "Actually, I heard rumors about this store before, which is why I knew about it." I couldn't help but wonder why she hadn't mentioned it earlier, but I was grateful for the discovery.
Still in awe, I marveled at the gorgeous clothes displayed before me. I couldn't believe they were all made by the same person who had appeared so intimidating earlier.
As we browsed the beautiful clothing, a woman, who turned out to be the store owner's wife, descended the stairs to greet us warmly. She had a kind-hearted aura that instantly put me at ease.
"What a group of beautiful and pretty ladies. Please don't mind me," she said with a smile, showing off her wedding ring.
Her kindness made me feel grateful, and as we sat down, she served us tea, creating an atmosphere of warmth and comfort. I joined her for a cup, cherishing her hospitality.
"You must have been surprised to find a store like this inside an armor shop," she observed, seemingly noticing my initial confusion.
"Ahaha, yes, I was," I chuckled, still marvel
ing at the contrast between the two sides of the store.
Curiosity sparked her interest as she inquired, "Are you in the midst of traveling?"
I explained that we were adventurers, on a journey to explore the world beyond the town's borders.
"An adventurer? That has a good ring to it," I mused, liking the sound of being known as Tatiana the Adventurer.
Her eyes welled up with tears suddenly, and I was taken aback by her emotional reaction. "Ma'am, are you alright?" I asked, concerned for her well-being.
"It's nothing, really, nothing," she replied, attempting to hide her tears, but her emotions were palpable.
Lady Sakuya glanced our way, her expression unreadable. I wondered if she sensed the connection between the woman and the bag she had given me earlier.
As our shopping came to an end, we bid our thanks and farewells to the store owners, and I couldn't help but feel grateful for the beautiful clothes they gifted to me. The small bag they gave me matched the clothes perfectly, and I felt a deep appreciation for their kindness.
"Let's get going," Lady Sakuya suggested, and we resumed our separate paths, heading towards new destinations.
*Store Owner's Perspective*
I observed my wife giving the bag of memories to the little girl, Tatiana. Inside that bag was a gift intended for our late daughter on her upcoming birthday – the dream of becoming an adventurer.
"Did you really give that to her?" I asked my wife, curious about her decision.
"Yes, there's no reason to keep it anymore," she replied, a mixture of sadness and acceptance in her voice.
"I hope she becomes the adventurer our daughter couldn't be," I said, holding my wife close, sharing in both her pain and hope.
"That was her wish, wasn't it?" she responded, tears glistening in her eyes.
-Chapter 10 End-