CHAPTER 4 Arx Norr

It has been three days since then. We finally decided to leave this place. I chose to do what Praesia asked me first since I don’t think that I’m already strong enough to face an entire empire. I’ll climb that tower again. With that in mind, I approached Liz who was packing her belongings.

“Liz, I have a favour to ask you.”

She immediately stood and faced me.

“Un, what is it?”

“Well, you have affinity for fire magic right?”

“Un, Fire, Earth, and Non-elemental”

“Well, that is… Will you make a pact with me?”

I’m not sure if this was something you could just ask casually but I asked her anyway.

“FUEEEE!?”

I don’t know why but she blushed furiously while holding her cheeks.

“Eeeh, a pact? Erik and me?”

“What’s wrong?”

“Fa, father said that our tribe only make a pact with someone we could entrust everything of ourselves to each other.”

She kept glancing away and back to me with a reddened face.

“Huh?”

Her head started to sway left and right, steam was also coming out from her head.

“I, I mean… It’s regarded almost as important as a marriage, or is a marriage by itself.”

Wait, wait, wait. What?

I grabbed her shoulders and she got startled.

“FUEEEE!? Erik? I, it’s not that I mind… If it is with Erik, then I’m o…o…okay.”

“Sorry, Liz… Let’s pretend that this conversation never happened.”

“Eh?”

I ran outside leaving the dumbfounded Liz.

After I got far enough from the house I then shouted.

“I’M NOT A LOLICOOOOON!!!!!”

That damn goddess… she didn’t tell me about something like this.

I got back to the cottage only to find Liz sulking in the corner.

“Uhh, Liz?”

“I thought so... there’s no way Erik will be interested in someone like me anyway... I’m just a kid anyway...Wait, I’m not a kid! ... But I’m sure Erik prefers someone with more adult like feature anyway...anyway... anyway... “

Aaah, she lost it...

I apologized and told her that I didn’t know each tribe has different custom about making pacts. I also just found out that she and Orcus is of the Exceidus tribe which excels in magic even when compared with other tribes from demon race like Saccandrus which are close to vampires from my point of view or Drucum est the deep black skinned, scaly tailed, and red eyed race which strong in both magical and physical capabilities. Berudis is an example of the Drucum est.

After that, things became a bit awkward between us and it was hard to talk to each other but she kept clinging to me. She has been clinging to me whenever she could since that day when I killed the assassins.

Is this how it would feel like if I have a little sister? No, Mira whom I once thought as a little sister never acted like this and I doubt even a real little sister would cling this much either.

Ah well, as long as she’s happy I guess.

Our preparation has been completed. She wears her travel gear with an addition of a backpack. As for me, she gave me one of her servants’ backpack as well so I’m carrying the heavier supplies and tools, I’m also wearing my jacket now and I have the assassin’s serrated sword on my waist.

Before we go I need to confirm something first

“Umm Liz, can you show me your strongest fire magic?”

“I don’t mind, but why?”

“The enemy I’m planning to take on was said to be weak against fire.”

“Okay, umm...”

She looked around for a while and seemed to be confused. Ah, I see, we don’t want any fire in the forest.

“Liz, how about using it over there?”

I pointed up into the air.

“Okay.”

She nodded and started concentrating.

She didn’t chant anything but a flaming ball just formed about 30 meters or so above us. The size kept increasing until it was bigger than the cottage behind us. The form gave me an impression of a miniature sun, flares kept erupting here and there and I could feel the heat on my skin.

“Lietus mer irbrium solus.”

Right after she chanted the spell’s name multiple flares extended out in unison and moved, or rather were shot, and compressed to a single point at a distance. The huge ball of flame shrunk more and more as the flares extended until it was completely gone.

Then a strong explosion happened at where the flares congregated. I could feel the hot blast wave even at where I’m standing.

“Wow, you’re good Liz.”

She blushed to my words while smiling.

“It was originally a spell to attack multiple target, but since there was no any specific target I just made the flares hit the same spot.”

“Did you do some special training?”

“No, I just watched people I know in the castle trains.”

Only watched? This girl might be more amazing than I had thought.

Okay, the magic is good. She can use a magic formula which will take a human to chant a few sentences to be done. The remaining problem is how to have Liz use it on the dragon without it attacking her. I doubt I can last long even just as a distraction against that thing. Should I even take her to face that dragon? Frankly, I’m still hesitant but I couldn’t think of other alternatives.

Guess I’ll think about that while on the way. We need to get to the tower first anyway.

“Well then, let’s go.”

“Un.”

Liz nodded and held the hand I offered.

The two of us then walked leisurely towards the tower.

The journey will take more than a day anyway so rather than hurrying, it is better to take it easy since I’m with Liz.

After a while some demon beasts attacked us and I had no trouble killing them but I also left some for Liz’s as her practice. She never used magic to attack any living thing before so she needs to get used to it.

She did pretty well, no hesitation whatsoever. She said that she needs to at least be able to do this much or she will be of no use to me. Of course I told her not to worry about that though.

With the sky showing the signs that night was approaching, we decided to camp. I chose a wide area, made a fire and killed surrounding demon beasts. After that I gathered their corpse and buried them so not to attract the other. I chose to bury since draining the blood will take too much time and that I had more than enough strength to dig a large hole by myself without problem. Actually, Liz helped with her earth magic.

We will take turn to be on guard. I could sense the enemies with my honed instinct and fortunately she could use non-elemental magic to make a barrier which will tell her if something breached it.

Currently I’m sitting with my back to a tree while Liz was in front of me lying down a bit closer to the fire. I noticed that she was restless so I asked her.

“What’s wrong? Can’t sleep?

She turned and looked at me nervously.

“Can I come over there?”

I couldn’t help but smile at her.

“Sure.”

She stood, picked her blanket up, approached me, and sat next to me, leaning onto me.

When I look at her she was fidgeting and seemed to be trying to say something.

“Do you want to ask me something?”

She nodded.

“Erik said about having a goal… destroying a nation of the humans. Is it true?”

I sighed, I guess it won’t hurt to tell her a few bits.

“Yeah, it’s true.”

“Why? Aren’t you also a human?”

“Well, being a human doesn’t mean that you will get along with every other human. There are people who won’t hesitate to hurt or kill another for their own benefit, even worse, there are also some who will do so without reason. Let’s just say that I’m one of such bad human who do things for his own sake.”

“But, there must be a reason right? I don’t believe Erik is someone who would have such a goal without any reason.”

“I did my best, even becoming a killer and killed countless enemies for their sake… but in the end, I was betrayed and they robbed me of everything important to me.”

“Betrayed.... Were you involved in the war?”

“Yeah, I’ve killed countless people of demon race myself.”

“… It couldn’t be helped. It was a war after all… Our side must have killed countless number of humans as well…”

“And you’re fine with that?”

“Of course not… But, a war is a war… There’s nothing I can do about it…Even father who tried to make peace with the humans kept failing to the point where he stopped trying.”

“Eh, Orcus tried what?”

“Father wanted the war to end since he became the demon lord seven years ago. He tried many times to make peace with the humans but it never went well since the peace proposals were rejected. There was once when a meeting of both sides were arranged to talk about peace. One of the representatives from human side didn’t even come and there was assassination attempt for my father.”

Orcus became the demon lord seven years ago? I’ve never heard anything about it. That means he wasn’t the one involved in starting the war. This is quite a find…

“Let me guess, the one who didn’t send a representative was Zagrant empire, right? I bet they were also the one who sent the assassins.”

“Un, that’s what I heard. It was just a speculation about them being the one sending the assassins though.”

There is simply no way that the empire which hates the demon race so much will agree to make peace. That bastard Daunte also said about eradicating every single one of demon race after all.

“Well, human or demon race matters not when it is about being a good or bad person. I’ve seen both bad and good human as well. It is the same with demon race. Even now next to me is a good girl who helped and took care of a human like me.”

“I’m, I’m not a good girl. I don’t care about the demon lord’s throne but I’ve thought about getting back at those who made me like this. Be it the humans who killed my father or the demons who tried to kill me.”

Those words struck me but I managed to not show it on my face.

“Well, that should be normal from my point of view.”

She shook her head to my words.

“I, I don’t like such me… I never said this before, but when I first found Erik, I thought about killing you with these hands.”

She was trembling and hugged her knees, burying her face in. Sorry Liz, if it is something I didn’t tell you, I also have one myself.

“But I’m still alive here. See? You’re a good girl after all.”

I patted her head and she looked at me with reddened eyes.

“Let’s stop this talk here. You should get some sleep, Liz. You can use my lap as pillow.”

She hesitated but finally rested her head on my lap while facing the direction of the fire.

“Erik”

“Hm?”

“I’m really glad that we met.”

“Yeah, me too”

It took longer than I had thought, we reached the human’s territory after 4 days. It is called a border between nations with hostile relation but there is no wall, rampart, or anything of the sort. The thing bordering the two nations was only the forest infested with demon beasts.

The gigantic size of the majestic tower of gods –Orum Arx- can now be seen clearly. From the top of the hill where Liz and I currently are, a large town encircling the base of the tower could be seen to be bustling with its daily activities of merchants, adventurers, and normal citizens. The name is ‘Arx Norr’.

“Okay Liz, once we get into town, you must never open your hood in public.”

“Okay.”

The reason is obvious. Once people see her horns and pointy ears it might become a commotion. I drew a fake slave brand on her forearm hidden by her sleeve as a precaution but somehow I just don’t want people to see her as a slave. I kind of understand why Liz didn’t like it when people saw me as her slave now.

There are patches of walls and fences at some border of the town but fortunately there is no specific gate to enter the town.and thus there is no visitor inspection. The reason was that the traffic of adventurers and merchants coming out and in of the town is insanely high. The town is also quite a big one since it encircles the tower so I guess it would be more than just a hassle to build a wall that completely surrounds the town. In exchange, every adventurers and merchants can’t do their business without special ID card issued by their respective guilds which must be renewed after a fixed period. There are always some guild officials doing their patrol around the town to prevent any mishaps. Of course there are also some illegal merchants in the town but most people here will avoid doing business with such shady merchants.

Adventurers can’t enter the tower without showing their ID card to the gate keeper. As a hero I was granted the right to enter the tower whenever I wanted but now things are different.

My goal is to enter the tower so we walked towards the direction of the adventurer guild.

“So, so many human...”

Liz timidly walked next to me while holding her hood.

“Well, the tower is adventurer magnet and the adventurer then become merchant magnet as well.”

“Fueee!”

Liz who almost bumped at someone passing by got startled and desperately clung to me.

“If you act like that it will actually look strange and suspicious.”

“But...”

“Come on, just hold my hand and walk calmly like usual.”

“O, okay.”

She grabbed my hand and fixed her hood with her other hand then walked as calm as she could although it still looked stiff to me. I could also feel her hand trembling.

*Sigh I might look like a kidnapper since I’m walking while holding the hand of a scared hooded little girl like this...

And yeah, people are looking at me with suspecting glares. Crap, I didn’t make a hood on my jacket.

At least we reached the guild without any unwanted incident.

The adventurer guild has many branch offices in the continent, among them the one in Arx Norr is one of the four largest. The largest are located near each of the great dungeons, including one in the demon race’s territory.

The guild hall is divided into two major areas, the one you can get right from the entrance is a bar which of course got bartender and some waitresses. A bit further in is reception area, and since the adventurer traffic is high there are usually at least three to five receptionist ladies at the counter. The guild itself is filled with all sort of people, mostly adventurers but there are some merchants or information broker hanging out as well. Fortunately, there was nobody scrutinizing us since new face isn’t all that rare here.

Somehow I get the feeling that the guild was far more crowded than the last time I came here.

I pulled the hand of Liz who was speechless with blank look due to the number of people around her.

“No need to be scared, I’m with you. Nobody here knows anything about us and they won’t care either.”

“Uuuu...”

She nodded and walked as close as she could to me. I heard that she was quite a sheltered princess who rarely comes out of the castle, plus the ones around are humans so her being like this is no surprise eh....

“Welcome to the adventurer guild. May I help you sir?”

The receptionist lady who looked to be in her mid twenties greeted me. Actually we should have already known each other. Her name is Tyrina and she likes younger men and kind of liked Bagus although he rejected her flatly.

“I’d like to register as an adventurer here.”

“Oh, a newbie? You are the 55th person today.”

“55th? Did something special happen?”

“Well, yes. The tower exploration record just broke to the 36th floor. It is quite a huge leap from the 31st floor before. The material you can harvest from the demon beasts there such as scales, fangs and leather is of higher quality than known before. The veterans are racing there so the lower floors are quite vacant, a chance for new adventurers to gain more.”

“36th eh?”

The record should have become 54th floor... So even the things related to us were also forgotten.

Wait, the record book shouldn’t just disappear so...

“Sadly we also lost all previous record and the holder names to a thievery at our storeroom a month ago. Really, who would steal a record book like that anyway? Several of our staff could remember some of the contents, but well....”

Thievery? Should I say as expected of the Empire?

“Anyway, *ahem. Please fill in the documents and... by the way, is she your companion?”

Liz froze to the receptionist’s words.

“A... e....”

“She’s my little sister from different mother. Our parents passed away a short while ago so we decided to become adventurer since the only thing I’m good at is fighting while this sister of mine is better at magic than most.”

“Eh? Sist...?”

Liz looked to be consfused so I quickly patted her head.

“Our abilities complement each other, I couldn’t have a better little sister. Right?”

Sorry Liz, I forgot to tell you about this beforehand.

“Aaah, u, un. You didn’t have to say that bi... big brother. It’s embarrassing.”

As expected of Liz, she caught on quickly, though the receptionist just looked at us with a flat expression.

“Well, it is good if you are confident but you should at least buy some better equipment and if possible, more party members. It is recommended to be in at least 4 man team. Also, to register she needs to be at least 12 years old. Well, it is mainly just formality but I don’t recommend anyone below that age to be an adventurer as it is a dangerous occupation.”

Sorry that my craftsmanship was so bad that this high quality material from the 69th floor became a cheap looking jacket. I don’t need more party member for now but I guess Liz will really need some better equipment if I’m going to take her into the tower.

I whispered to ask Liz about her age and she answered “13” somehow shyly. Even if she was younger I intended to write 12 anyway but what kind of brother doesn’t know his sister’s age?

I finished both of our registration forms and gave it to the receptionist.

“Alright umm, Erik 17 years old and... Lissa 13 years old... no surname? The registration fee would be 100 mearis coins or you could pay with 1 denatum coin. You can take your ID card tomorrow here. Yearly membership fee is 500 mearis or 5 denatum coins for both of you but you can pay with monthly installment. Our facilities and services including infirmary are free for use but always report to our person in charge before and after using. Please keep in mind that food and drinks at the bar are not included. There is also a non-mandatory class to learn about basic survival knowledge and demon beast classification.”

I put my real name but I don’t want if somehow Liz’s real name be known by someone dangerous and trouble occurs.

By the way, her explanation was somewhat different than the one that was given to me when I was a hero. She didn’t tell us about the class but we were told about demon beast classification by guild official that was assigned to be our guide. Food and drinks were also free dammit.

“Erik.”

Liz whispered to me so I leaned closer.

“Hm, you don’t like the name ‘Lissa’ to be on the ID card?”

“No, it’s not that. I understand why Erik did so. The problem is, I don’t have any human currency... What do we do?”

“Don’t worry, I do have something to pay with you know.”

I returned to face the receptionist lady again.

“Ah, the thing is, we are currently broke on money...I didn’t have the chance to sell this so can I do that here as well?”

I took a red gemstone half the size of a tennis ball and put it on the table.

“Hmm, is it a magic stone? It looks to be a wyvern Ruby but the size is quite small…”

“It’s a family heirloom. Our late grandfather always told us a story of when he defeated a giant wyvern in his younger days.”

“Hahaha, giant wyvern eh, I’m sorry but your grandfather must have been lying. The size is too small for a giant wyvern’s ruby.”

“Well, I don’t know. Can I have it appraised here? I couldn’t really trust the merchants out there.”

“Please wait then.”

She left the counter, bringing the ruby to a room at the back.

A few minutes later…

“WHAT IS THIS? THIS IS AMAZING!”

I could hear somebody shouted from inside the room then Tyrina came out with an old man wearing a serious face.

“You, are you the owner of this wyvern ruby?”

The old man grabbed my shoulders and shook me.

“Ah, yes. It is our family heirloom.”

“Do you know what this is? I have never seen such a wyvern ruby so small yet containing a super dense mana of very high purity.”

Demon beasts, mostly the ones in dungeons possess magic stone of various kinds which usually break and disappear when they die but if one is lucky the stone will stay intact and can be harvested from the demon beast. Maybe that is why they are stronger than those in the wild. This was the one I got from the giant wyvern I killed in the tower. I’m glad I found it in the crater Liz said she first found me. I kind of liked it so I brought it anywhere in the tower while looking for material to make it into a pendant or something. I left the other loots at my camp in the 70th floor though.

“Ah so our grandfather didn’t lie, right?”

“Where did your grandfather find such a wyvern possessing this kind of ruby?”

“I don’t know, he never told us where.”

It was just a story I made up on the spot though.

“Hmm, your grandfather must have been a well known adventurer and a really strong one at that.”

This is getting nowhere, the appraiser old man was deep in thought, and people around were looking curiously over here.

“Anyway can I have it priced?”

“Ah, right. I think this might worth about 7 uarum coins plus 50 denatum coins”

That high? Just one uarum is enough to feed a family for three months. Well, I don’t really need that much money for now so.

“I will sell it for 5 uarum in form of 2 uarum coins and 300 denatum coins if we can have our ID cards now. Oh and exemption from at least 3 years of membership fee.”

“Just that? A, are you sure?” The old man and receptionist lady looked at each other then at me.

“Yeah.”

“Please wait a minute.”

Both of them ran to the room. I looked at Liz who seemed to be troubled.

“What’s wrong Liz?”

“Was that really your family’s heirloom?”

“No way, I got it myself.”

She averted her gaze and said in low voice.

“I didn’t know that Erik could tell a lot of lies smoothly like that…”

Noooo, please don’t make such a face Liz…. Big bro is hurt here.

“Ahahaha, sorry Liz, do you hate such me?”

“N, no! I understand the situation. I’m just surprised. I could never hate Erik!”

“Hahaha, thanks.”

I put my hand under her hood and stroke her head.

“Fuee….”

She always makes a comfortable face every time I do this so this is starting to become a habit of mine as well.

“We’re sorry for the wait.”

That was quick. The receptionist lady brought a bag of coins, two golden uarum coins, and two ID cards onto the table.

I only checked the contents of the coin bag with a glance and strapped it on my waist. I inserted my ID card and the two uarum coins into my pocket and gave Liz her card.

“Thank you. This means we can get into the tower from now on right?”

“Wait, can I ask you something?”

The old man called me so I turned back.

“Yes?”

“Who is this grandfather of yours?”

Oh well. Let’s just tell him a random name.

“Albert the raging storm, the thunderclad swordmaster and dragon hunter from the east.”

I made a ridiculous title as well. We can’t have real people be mistaken as my grandfather here, right?

“Oooh, what a magnificent name and title... somehow even I felt like I’ve heard about such a person before.” The old man looked upwards in admiration.

You’ve heard about such a person? Are you serious?

“Anyway, I have to buy some equipment for my sister so please excuse us.”

“Wait, young man! Can you tell me more about your grandfather?”

“Maybe next time.”

I hurriedly walked out of the guild with Liz holding my hand next to me.

“Okay Liz, let’s buy some good equipments for you.”

“I, is it okay? I’ve only been on the receiving end lately.”

“Liz, I would appreciate it more if you don’t hold back with me.”

“Uuu, okay. I’ll try.”

“Besides you’re my little sister in the ID card so I have to be a good brother as well.”

“Little sister...somehow I’m both happy and disappointed.”

“Huh?”

Liz’s shoulders got slumped and she let go of my hand to walk a little ahead of me.

We walked around town and I finally chose a shop ‘Outfitter Grandis’. When I saw the shopkeeper, a certain moustached bald bulky old man from a game series about alchemy came into mind. Next to him at the counter was a short haired teenage girl in denim like attire who was currently tending to a customer. Maybe she’s his apprentice or simply a worker here.

“Yo, welcome!”

I ignored his greetings and brought Liz further in to look at the merchandise.

Equipment designed for women isn’t rare, but as I thought it’s hard to find one at Liz’s size. I guess it needs to be order made.

“Liz, is there anything that caught your eyes?”

Liz looked around for a while before answering but then she shook her head.

“I don’t know anything about armors and weapons… can Erik choose for me?”

“Well, I guess I can. Is there anything specific that you’d want about your armor?”

“No, as long as it is what Erik chooses then I’m fine with it.”

“If anything’s fine then…”

I rummaged through armor designed for women but I couldn’t find anything that fits my taste. Wait, it doesn’t have to be to my taste…

“Are you looking for something sir?”

I looked behind to see the girl that was with the shopkeeper old man looking at me, correction, she is definitely talking to me but her eyes are onto Liz. Is she suspicious?

Being looked at so intensely, Liz hid behind me while poking her head out a little.

“I’m looking for an armor designed for mages, enchanted robe or one made with special material with high resistance.”

I patted Liz’s head while answering.

“Is it for your companion, haa… the little gi... I mean, young lady, haa… behind you sir?”

Is it just me or she is kind of panting there? And isn’t her face kind of red as well? Is she sick or something?

“Well, yeah.” It bugs me but I chose to ignore it.

“If that is the case then please follow me, haaa…. This shop have merchandise specialized for little gi… I mean, young ladies like her.”

WTF? Is that drool? You’re drooling over there oi! And you’re looking at Liz with passionate eyes. Don’t tell me this shopkeeper girl has a special tendency? Yeah, she is sick, mentally it is...

Even Liz is shivering behind me.

I thought about leaving the store but I guess it won’t hurt to see what this place got for Liz. Don’t worry, big bro will protect you Liz.

We followed her to a door next to the counter.

“I’ll be using this room.”

The girl said as she grabs the handle to the old man.

“Well, it’s fine but don’t be a bother to our customer okay.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t”

We entered the room to find… Girl clothes, fancy clothes, frilly clothes, goth loli clothes, clothes with bare minimum coverage, they are all the size for little girl. What the hell?

“Liz, let’s get out of here.”

“Un.”

We turned to the door before the shopkeeper girl jumped and grabbed our legs.

“Please wait! Let me explain first.”

“Stop grabbing our legs and stand back up first.”

So I decided to listen to her first while Liz is still hiding behind me.

“Well, this is my... hobby.” She said, looking down.

Silence....

“Is that all?”

“Ah, yes.”

“We’re leaving.”

“Wait, please wait! They are actually good quality armors.”

“What about the design... and the size?”

“I loved such cute designs since I was a kid, but with this job and family I never had the chance to wear them myself. My father trained me smithing and crafting strictly since I was a kid. Well, he is more lenient now after mother divorced him and allowed me to do what I wanted but I don’t think the me now can wear such cute clothing again, people will think I’m strange.”

“Wait, is your father the one outside?”

“Yes, why do you ask?”

“But you’re not... bald.”

“Um, do you know the meaning of the word ‘daughter’? I know I don’t look very feminine but I’m his daughter, okay.”

I inadvertently tried the same joke some game character did but it was far too bland, if it was Lavinia, she would look at me with squinted eyes…

“Sorry. Anyway, you shouldn’t worry about what people think and just wear them yourself. It’s different if you’re bald but you’re not, right?”

“Please stop with the B word… but yes, I know the problem lies in myself. Continuing, after some time, somehow I started to adore little girls...and want them to wear the clothes I designed. Little girls rarely enter an equipment shop like this so I was excited when I see your companion there.”

“Uhh, I can’t really see the connection there... I got the feeling you skipped some parts of the story.”

“Don’t mind it.”

*Sigh. I looked around once again and I think I gotta admit that the designs are nice although there were also some questionable ones. I tried examining one and found out that it is made of materials you can get from demon beasts. Now I see what she said about them being good quality armors. To be able to make those demon beasts materials into such clothing, she must actually got some skills.

“Anyway Liz, can you try them on? Try whatever you think is good.”

Liz nodded and started to choose something.

“The changing room is over there.”

The shopkeeper girl’s eyes are sparkling, she pointed to a curtain at the back, and Liz trotted into the changing room while taking some clothes.

After some time the curtain opened.

“H, how about this?”

I didn’t respond. The shopkeeper girl’s eyes lost their sparkle as well.

The size fits Liz perfectly and the clothes looked good, Liz chose a decorated blue trapeze dress like clothes with long sleeves. It’s just that she...hmm...

Looking disappointed Liz then closed the curtain again. After a little while she opened it again.

“How about this one?”

The shopkeeper girl just double facepalmed herself.

This time Liz chose a white glittering one piece with long gloves, ah, a fake slave brand is on her hand… is it made of large insectoid demon beasts wings? Well, the clothes themselves doesn’t look bad but...

“Liz, they look good on you but, the plain mantle and hood kind of ruined them.”

“Ah, but...”

I know, I’m the one who told her to hide her horns and ears.

I once again looked around and picked some clothes but I also picked a beret and gave it to Liz.

“Here, use this beret to cover them.”

She nodded, accepted them, and closed the curtain. It took longer than before but she finally opened the curtain.

She’s wearing a set of black, red, and blue semi classic lolita styled clothes. Not the popular japanese goth loli styled one but the semi classic styled one you can find in some shop in maybe Europe or US. The one Liz is wearing consists of long sleeved red blouse with some black ribbons and hems, then a knee long suspender skirt with blue colored decorations. On her head, hiding her horns is a rather oversized red beret which still reveals her forelock and shoulder length hair, it might be that the horns helped to hold the beret in place as well. On the front left side part of the beret a huge black ribbon is also attached.

Fortunately her hairstyle is enough to cover her ears, the beret also kept her side hair not to sway too much. As long as she doesn’t run around or there is no strong wind then her ears won’t easily be visible.

I also gave her a mini black cape, covering her back at collarbone length at front and at a length enough to hide her bulging small wings on her back

“I, is this good? I think this is kind of conspicuous.”

“PURRRRRRRRFECTTTTT!!!”

The shopkeeper girl shouted before I could answer.

“Very nice. I was going to disagree about the beret but I’m glad I didn’t voice it. You’re great!”

She kneeled in front of Liz, clasping her palms as if revering a goddess. Liz is of course taken aback and seemed like she wanted to run away.

I approached Liz as well and voiced my honest opinion.

“You look very cute Liz. Well, you’re already cute to begin with anyway.”

“Cccc, c, cute?! Hauuu...”

Liz’s face reddened and she held her cheeks with both hands.

“Nice choice my bro!”

The shopkeeper girl gave a thumb up at me with a satisfied face.

“Who’s your bro? I take it that it has enough protection against damage, right?

“Of course, the blouse is made of cloth which itself was made from Aviliet, the flaming bird’s feathers so it has high fire resistance, your normal kitchen knife also won’t work on it. The skirt and cape are made from black wyvern, Remarathaum’s wings skin so it got far higher defense and durability than iron. Then, the beret is made of the rare crimson butterfly’s powdered wings applied onto, well, normal cotton beret but the butterfly’s wings should have anti-flame effect and raised its endurance as well.”

The shopkeeper girl spoke in one go and I could hear her gasping for air now. Her face is pure bliss though. Let’s quickly finish our business here.

“I’ll take the previous two she chose before as well so how much?”

“Eh? Erik, I’ll be okay with just this one.”

“You chose the other two because you like them right? I thought I told you not to hold back, Liz.”

Liz didn’t answer and just nodded to me.

“So how much?”

*Arrreiuasasssasssrrrrragh

The shopkeeper girl is thinking hard and muttered something incomprehensible.

“Okay! It should be 150 denatum coins but since you bought that many I’ll give you a discount so it is 130 denatum coins. No, you also showed me such a divine cuteness so…. 100 denatum coins!”

“50”

“Arrgh, 90!”

“60”

“80! I can’t lower it any further!”

“Okay, deal.”

With her ways of doing business, if many little girls are to shop here she will be out of business in no time… but why should I care?

We got out of the room after I paid the girl directly and I approached the old man. The shopkeeper girl kept gluing her eyes on Liz while drooling though.

“You got quite a unique daughter there old man.”

“Arrgh, I know, it is kind of my fault though so I can’t really say anything…”

“Anyway do you have some weapon for mages like wands or something?”

“It’s obviously not for you... is it for her?”

The old man looked at me, the serrated sword and daggers at my waist, then he pointed at Liz with his thumb.

“Wait a second.”

He left the counter and rummaged through his merchandise at a corner. He brought back a few wands with various magic stones and also gloves with magic stones attached on the upper side and some rings, also with magic stones on them.

“The rings got smaller magic stones but also with a high enough mana purity so performance wise they aren’t lacking compared to the wands and gloves.”

The higher the mana purity is, the better it can be used to amplify your magic.The same mana purity level will have better performance with increase in size but mana purity matters the most.

“What do you think, Liz?”

Liz tried the wands, she swung them a few times and tried channeling some of her internal mana on it. Next she tried the gloves. Lastly she tried putting on the rings.

“I like this ring but the size is a little too big.”

She showed me a silver ornamented ring with several red gems on it, the biggest one in the middle surrounded by several smaller ones.

“Old man...”

“I know I’ll make it so the size fit the little lady’s finger. Also, lad, can I have a look on that jacket of yours?.”

The old man showed me a serious look and smile.

I just took my jacket off and gave it to him in response.

“This is far heavier than it looks... I have also never seen such a fine material before. Lad, will you let me do some modifications on this?”

“Hohoo, a craftsman’s curiosity at works eh? As long as it will become better then it’s fine.”

“Hahahahah, you understand me lad? Alright I’ll put all my pride onto it. Give me two days and I’ll show you.”

“If that is the case, can you also make these daggers into proper weapons? I just grinded and polished the materials into the shape but I’d appreciate some proper hilts and maybe engravings as decorations. Let’s worry abut the payments after you finished them.”

I put the wyvern fang daggers on the counter and the old man once again showed his confident smile.

“Got it.”

Thus we left the store and looked for an inn.