Right now, Ciana is walking with me, side by side while Ruby is on my right shoulder. We are heading towards [Sagittarius Empire] after another day of [loot hunting]. After exchanging the loots in a [loot shop], we finally decided to buy an armor using the money that we’ve saved. The total amount of our money is 10,300 EC but of course, we’re not planning to spend everything on the armor.

“Let’s enter!” I said excitedly after arriving in front of the [armor shop].

“Right, right,” Ciana replied with a smile.

Just after I set my foot inside, I immediately got amazed from the view I saw.

“Cool!” I whispered with shining eyes.

There are lots of life-size dolls wearing different kinds of armor lined up. Whether you’re looking for men or women’s armor, you can find it here. These armors have different sizes, shapes, designs, colors and prices.

“Oh~. This armor is quite cool!” I commented as I stare at the full plate silver armor. It looks that even a strong weapon can’t pierce through it.

“What is its price…50,000 EC???”

I then looked at the price of all the armors lined up one by one if I can find something that I can buy.

“30,500…29,000…27,000…35,000…40,000…ahhhh!!!”

“Hey, Raiki? Are you okay?” Ciana asked with a surprised face because of my reaction.

*ruu?*

“It’s no good. These are way too expensive!”

Ciana then laughed sheepishly.

“It can’t be helped. We’re just starting after all. It looks like you can’t buy one of these armors yet,” she followed.

“Isn’t there any light armor here?” I asked.

Desperate to wear anything as long as it’s an armor, I found some boxes stacked at the corner. I then went there and found different light armors.

“Look, Raiki. These armors are cheap,” Ciana said as she searches for a good armor beside me.

“You’re right. 9,800…7,200…5,000…12,200…”

We the searched the entire shop but unfortunately…

“7,200 EC is the cheapest we’ve found. I can afford it but,” I whispered with a depressed expression. In this world, money is needed for food, shelter, clothing and lots more. I’ve got a feeling that we won’t survive long if I spend more than half of the money with a weak armor. I want something strong but that’s way too expensive for me.

“And…it doesn’t look strong too,” Ciana commented as she knocks lightly on the breast plate of the said armor.

I then stood up and said, “Well, let’s just come back here after saving a fair amount of money,” I said with a sad smile.

“Won’t you look at other [armor shops]?”

“Well, we might found something strong within our budget but I’m sure that its level of defense will be something like that too.”

“Then, next time it is. Once we’ve saved enough,” Ciana said and stood up.

*ruu!*

“Ruby?”

Now that I noticed it, Ruby is no longer riding my right shoulder.

We then searched for Ruby and found him on top of a stone table.

“There you are Ruby,” I said and went before the table.

*ruu! ruu-ruu-ruu!”

He is pointing at a red shield before him.

“This?” I asked and grabbed it.

It’s a crimson-colored shield but because it only covers the wrist to the elbow and has a narrow width, just the width of an arm, it looks really light.

“So you picked this for me,” I said and looked at the price.

“So it’s 5,000 EC,” Ciana followed.

“…”

*ruu!*

“Okay, I’ll buy this,” I said and gave Ruby a smile.

“Are you sure?”

“I know that this will be useful in our quest. Even though its durability is lower than the usual shield, it looks strong and I have a feeling that it can survive any sword attacks.”

“Then, let’s buy that.”

After buying the [Crimson Protector], our remaining money is now 5,300 EC.

When we got out of the shop, the sun is now down.

“So it is now 7, huh,” I whispered.

“Raiki, do you want to find an Inn where we can sleep for tonight?” Ciana asked.

“Let’s do that.”

“You’re right,” Ciana said and chuckled.

“I wonder where the Inn is,” I muttered as I look around the area.

“Well, let’s just walk around and I’m sure that we will find one eventually.”

As we walk, I noticed that there are lots of bars open. There are also tons of customers inside, drinking enthusiastically.

Finally, we found a cheap-looking Inn and decided to enter. After talking to the inn keeper…

“600 EC for just one night???” I reacted after hearing the price from the big man on the counter.

“Look, man. Our Inn is the cheapest one you can find here in [Sagittarius Empire]. If you don’t want to sleep here, find another,” he said with an irritated face.

“How many beds are there?” I asked with serious eyes.

“Of course one.”

“B-but…”

“We still got 5,300 EC left, right?” Ciana asked with a puzzled face.

I’m just worried about the other expenses for our daily needs. It looks like we really need to go [loot hunting] everyday after all.

“So, are you going to take it…or not?” the guy asked again.

“Old man, we’re gonna take one room,” Ciana said with a smile.

“Huh?” I reacted with a surprised face.

“That way, we can save more money,” Ciana replied like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

“But...we can’t share a bed, right?” I asked, confused.

“Why?” she asked and slightly tilted her head.

You’re really asking me why?

“D-do you have a room with two beds?” I asked with a flustered expression to the owner.

He then smiled and replied, “Nah. Why not have a hot night with this chick instead?”

“I bet that’s a lie! I can see that you’re having fun teasing me!” I retorted angrily.

“Hot?” Ciana whispered, not understanding what the owner meant. “Anyway, Mister, we’re getting only one room.”

“Thanks for the business!” he said enthusiastically and gave Ciana the key.

We then ascended the stairs made of wood and opened the wooden door of our room. It’s a room with a small wooden bed with two small worn out pillow and a single lamp on top of a small table near the bed.

“What is with this room? Is this...is this a rip-off?” I reacted, comparing the romm to the previous one I've rented in [Genesisia Town].

*ruu?*

“I think we are even lucky to get a room for just 600 EC, you know,” Ciana said and started removing her light brown robe. "We're in an Empire so the cost of living here is sure to be expensive compared to towns."

“C...Ciana?” I reacted, surprised.

She then looked at me and shyly said, “Now that I realized it, it’s your first time seeing me not wearing this, aren’t you?”

Th...That’s not the issue, you know!

After completely removing her robe, what I saw was the entrancing image of Goddess [Virgo]. Her slightly curled blonde hair is waist-height and she’s wearing a white sleeveless tunic with a red corset on her waist. You can definitely say that even if it’s just in looks alone, the girl before me is a goddess.

She placed her neatly folded robe on top of the table near the window and also removed her [Concealing Ears]. Then, she placed it on top of the robe.

Darn it. Why is my heart beating this fast?

Afterwards, she went to the bed and sat down.

“Look, Raiki. It’s softer than you expected. Come here,” she continued with a smile as she presses the bed.

“O...kay,” I replied, trying my best to not be so nervous and sat down on the bed too, next to her.

“Now, let’s go to sleep. I’m already exhausted,” Ciana suggested and lay down on the bed.

W-well, I’m also exhausted so…I should sleep too.

“O…kay,” I responded and did the same. As for Ruby, he decided to sleep in front of the window.

And after some hours…

Like I can sleep!

Right now, I’m facing the wall so I can’t see Ciana. Because I’m still widely awake, I decided to see if she’s awake too.

“Ciana? Are you asleep?” I whispered.

“…”

I then turned around to face Ciana when suddenly, her face appeared in point blank range.

“Guhh!” I reacted with widened eyes.

“Hmmm~” she mumbled with a smile while sleeping very soundly.

You’re too close!

Because we didn’t turn the lights off, I can see her beautiful face very closely. Our lips are almost touching. I wonder if she will wake up…if I kissed her.

“What am I even thinking?!” I shouted inside my mind.

“I…can’t eat anymore~” she whispered with a smile.

I guess…she’s dreaming. She’s eating in her dream, huh. She is really cute inside and outside.

“Well, I guess…touching her cheeks is not against the rules right?” I said and pressed her cheek using my index finger lightly.

“Hmmm~” she reacted after her eyebrows slightly twitched.

How cute!!!!!!!!!!!!

I then repeated it a couple of times with a silly smile on my face.

“I wonder why I can’t get tired of this,” I whispered and look at her blonde head. “I’ve always wanted to try this but…”

I then slowly placed my hand on top of her head and started petting it lightly. After awhile, a smile emerged from her sleeping face.

This is bad! She is so cute that I can’t stop anymore!

“Raiki~~” she suddenly mumbled with a smile.

“Gahaa!!!” I reacted with a surprised expression and stopped patting her head.

“I’m sure...you can do it,” she continued.

So she is even encouraging me in her sleep.

“Yeah,” I replied with a gentle smile.

Thanks to that, I can’t even catch some sleep anymore. Maybe I should explore outside for a bit.

With that decided, I left the Inn and walked around the streets. While walking, I noticed that the usual people walking can’t be found anywhere. The usual noisy bars are now almost empty and the different shops that are usually open are now closed.

“I think it’s already the time to sleep after all,” I whispered as I look around.

“One Hundred shots~, One Hundred Hits~ Lululalalu~” a drunk guy sang as he walks while swaying.

Suddenly, a cloaked man appeared behind the guy. He then ran towards the guy and slashed the pouch on its waist.

“Wh-what?” the drunkard reacted with a bewildered face.

The thief then ran as fast as he can with the pouch on its hand.

“Thi-thief!” the drunkard shouted and tried to go after him but tripped instead.

“Wait!” I said and ran after the thief as fast as I can.

“!”

“Not-so-fast!” I said and delivered a flying kick on the thief’s back. He stumbled and hit the ground. He also accidentally let go of the pouch.

“Stealing is a crime!” I shouted.

“Shut up!” the man said and brought out a knife. He then thrust it to me but I somehow dodged it.

“That’s close,” I said and jumped up as high as I can.

“!”

“Justice Punch!” I said and delivered a punch on his face. It is strong enough to send him flying. After landing on the ground, he immediately stood up and ran away, leaving the pouch on the ground. I then grabbed the pouch and showed it to the drunkard.

“Th-thank you!” he said and hugged me on the leg.

“H-hey! What are you doing?” I asked in a surprised look.

“You’re my life saver! Without that, my Boss will surely kill me!” he said while crying.

“I...see. You’re welcome then,” I said with a smile.

“I know, give that to me,” he said and grabbed the pouch.

“Hmmm?”

“Here,” he said and gave me a yellow crystal.

I then took it and asked, “Are you really giving this to me for free?”

“Of course. Anyway, I should hurry towards the hide-out or I might meet someone like that again,” he said and ran away as fast as he can.

“It looks like he sobered after that incident,” I said and put the unexpected reward on my pocket.

Wait. If I remember correctly, the [loot shop] that we visited last time is open 24 hours, right?

Out of things to do, I decided to exchange the [loot] for money. Unexpectedly, I received 1,000 EC out of it.

“What a lucky night~!” I excitedly sang as I jumped around the street in happiness.

Maybe I should head back to the Inn.

Just when I decided to go back, a cold breeze blew in my position.

“How cold...” I commented and looked at the direction where the wind came from while shivering.

Surprisingly, I saw a familiar girl sitting on top of a big rock before me. She has a brunette shoulder-length hair and wearing a maid outfit. For some reason, her eyes look so melancholic right now.

After a while, she finally looked down and got surprised from seeing me below her.

“Hanya!” she reacted and accidentally slipped after standing up. She then fell on the ground, face first.

“Hey, are you okay?” I asked and went before her.

“Uhhh...” she moaned as she gets up.

“You’re…” I whispered and remembered her name.

It is no other than the [Hund] slave I met the other day, Iwa.