Chapter 260

The town that was to be our next destination was called Reserentrible. It was an odd, long name, but it was an old town. And there was a dungeon in this town that many Adventurers had visited and few had ever returned. Of course, this was all from the mouth of Licoris Ladiaray. Management Division of the Empire’s North District.

“…Word of someone clearing the dungeon has reached the capital, yes. They say that seventy percent of the town is now gone.”

“Seventy percent? I heard that it was half…”

“It was half at first. However, the dungeon is eating away at the rest of the town. Our latest reports say that it is seventy percent.”

That seemed ridiculous. I didn’t know what happened to the person who touched the dungeon core, but things had really gotten out of hand now. However, I’m sure they had no idea about the consequences. It would have been hard to get down there and survive countless traps and monsters. And when you finally arrive in the place where the treasure is supposed to be kept…

“Are you going too, Mister Asagi?”

“Yes. Well, Daniela insisted on it very strongly.”

“I have no memory of that. Do not tell lies, Asagi.”

“…”

She had a memory that served her conveniently. If I were a doctor, I’d want to look inside.

After gaining some information about Reserentrible from Licoris, we began preparations to leave. I was in charge of buying camping supplies while Daniela took care of the food.

“Remember, buy vegetables too. And fish, if they have any. I’d also like some spices. And please don’t come back with nothing but street food.”

“I know. I know. I am not a child. I can go on simple errands without you reminding me so many times.”

“The fact that you’d even call it an errand is suspicious.”

It was procurement. Yes. It was a dangerous journey we were about to embark on, and preparations had to be made seriously if we didn’t want to die.

“Alright, I’ll go pick up the equipment we sent in for repairs and buy the rest of the stuff on my way back. We can meet at the inn at sundown.”

“Aye, understood.”

“I hope so…”

I muttered to myself as I watched her walk away. I was still quite convinced that she would spend all of her money in the street food district.

Well, there was no use standing here and worrying about that. I had my own job to do.

As my clothes had been damaged badly by Daniela’s magic in the final fight, I took them to the Solitude Clothes Shop. Thankfully, they were able to use magic and some left-over materials to repair it. As it would take a week to finish, Miss Amarilith had had to withdraw from the festivities a little early.

“Ah, there you are.”

“Hello. How are things going?”

“It took me a while, but it’s finished now. Damn it, I don’t know what you did in that fight to ruin them as you did…”

“Ehehe…”

I had nothing to say on that account.

And so I accepted the clothes and then went to the changing room to make sure that it fitted well while I was wearing my ice dragon armor.

“Hmm. Everything seems good.”

“Well, no surprise there.”

“Thank you very much. Uh, how much does it all cost?”

“Two hundred.”

“But it didn’t even cost that when it was new.”

“Repairing stuff is hard work. Not only that, but it pulled me away from the festival. I’ll never know what I missed.”

“…”

Miss Amarilith was more of a businesswoman than a craftswoman. And she knew full well that our pockets were rather full at the moment.

“…So, you are leaving then?”

“Uh, yeah. Apparently, there is a southern town called Reserentrible that, uh, has some things in store for us.”

“Oh, I’ve heard some terrible tales. You best be careful.”

“Thank you. But there isn’t much that can scare me after that final fight.”

“Haha! That’s the kind of confidence that gets people killed!”

I was well aware. Every win should make me more cautious. That was the trick to survival. Well, I didn’t actually win.

□ □ □ □

Aside from my clothes, I picked up a heap of scrap cloth to use as bandages before leaving the store. Then it was off to a general goods store. The east district was the merchant district. There were many shops in the same area, which made things very convenient.

“Which place to go… Huh?”

As I was searching, a familiar face entered the corner of my vision. An Adventurer. The easy walk and the light armor and spear. Oh, and the meat skewer in the hand.

“Hey.”

“…Ah, Mister Asagi.”

It was Bandi Ree. This was the first time I had met her outside of the arena.

“Are you shopping?”

“Yes. And you as well, Mister Asagi?”

“Yeah. We’re going to be leaving the city soon. Uh, how’re your injuries?”

To be honest, I was more worried about the psychological ones. It had been a little chilling watching her fight that battle fiend.

“Ah…yes. I was shaking for quite a while after that fight. But I’m fine now.”

“I feel like I was just as scared watching you…”

“Yes, she is…yes…”

Bandi seemed to remember it all as she rubbed her arm. Maybe I shouldn’t have brought it up.

“Uh, sorry for bothering you. We’ll return to the city later on, so maybe we’ll meet again.”

“Of course. Oh, and I know it’s a little late, but congratulations on being the runner up.”

“Ahaha… Yeah, I couldn’t beat Daniela… But, thanks. See you.”

“Yes.”

We hadn’t really talked properly before, but she seemed like a nice person. I hoped that she’d make it to A-Rank eventually.

We separated and then I returned to my shopping duties. I had clean cloth. Daniela was getting the food. Yes, I was worried. But I had to buy the other traveling supplies. Thankfully, I still had the magic lanterns we got from the orcs.

There’s plenty of money, so I should get anything that looks useful…”

Wasteful shopping occurred when you wasted something that you bought. As long as it is still usable, it is not a waste, no matter how much you have. Or so I told myself.

□ □ □ □

There was a sign that read, ‘Crimson Variety Shop.’ The sign itself was the color of blood. As was the door. And the interior and everything sold within. It was an eyesore of the worst degree.

Still, I was able to buy some cutlery that we’d be able to use. I was told that there were many variations of red, but my eyes were in too much pain to tell the difference.

“Cups, spoons, forks, plates…bowls…all red…”

I stuffed them in my bag and went off to search for a store that sold magic goods. I couldn’t help but rub my eyes a little as I walked, which resulted in my shoulder bumping into someone else. It was completely my own fault.

“I’m sorry, are you alright?”

“Ah…damn-damn, it hurts…”

I blinked and looked at the stranger. He looked like an Adventurer. A dirty one…

“You’re injured?”

“Injured? Aye, you broke my bones you bloody fool!”

He howled as he clutched his left arm. As I had hit him with my right shoulder, it should have hit his right as well…

Regardless, he wailed in pain. Heads began to turn in our direction. That was no surprise. Well, it couldn’t be helped. Though, there was a bit of sneer in his look that I didn’t like.

“Hey, you! Don’t you have anything to say!”

“I’m very sorry. I will pay for your treatment.”

“Then I guess we’ll have to go to the hospital!”

“Sorry, if you can tell me where it is.”

“Bah! That’s fine. Just give me the money, alright?”

I sighed at the predictability. It was never nice throwing your money away. Besides, it would just encourage him.

“Oh, I just remembered. I know this remedy that was passed on in the family.”

“What!?”

“You have to cool off the injured limb.”

And so I held my hand over his left shoulder and sent out a wave of ice magic. It would feel cool and nice. I even used the energy around us to create a block of ice. His right hand was now fixed tightly to his left shoulder. I was too kind.

“He-hey! What is this!”

“Yes. Cool it down with ice and keep it still. This is perfect. You’ll be fine now.”

“Damn you! You bastard!”

He tried to kick me with his legs but missed. He then lost his balance and fell on the ground in an awkward position. The spectators laughed.

“Is that man crazy? He tried to take on Silvergreen!”

“Don’t you know? He was the runner up in the Imperial Sword Tournament!”

They pointed and jeered with laughter. The face of the fallen man was red with embarrassment as he gritted his teeth. Still, he stayed down. This really was a matter between me and him, and so I became annoyed at the spectators that were throwing insults. Well, annoyed enough to activate Legs of the God Wolf for a second and making them disperse.

“…Regardless, I should have watched where I was going. You are fine, though?”

“Ah…yes…”

I converted the ice into water. Now that he was free, the man stood up and bowed somberly.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. I need to be more careful.”

The matter was settled. People were walking away after losing interest.

“Well, I have to be going.”

“Yes…”

And so I continued to walk. It was a reminder that I now had a certain status in this city. The label of being the first runner up. It would affect my interactions with others. I felt a little sad about it. A private feud with someone could cause a whole mob to turn against them if it escalated. It didn’t seem right.

“I have to think a little more before I act…”

My eyes still felt a little sore, but my head hurt even more.