The commercial district, known as the place that selling various things. It’s a place where the money and goods, comes and go. A commonplace that mainly business with foods, furniture, weapons and armoury, pharmacies, bars… and even a number of good inns located here. Naturally, it’s the place that full of crowded people from the morning till night.

For that, it’s a good thing that I came here with a light attire. I would be bathing with sweats if I wear my usual job’s attire. On my right, Anna, who walks beside me with glee on her face

[You look happy today, Anna]

[is that so? Hehehe]

[If there’s something that you want, do tell me and I’ll buy it for you]

[It’s okay. I brought along my wallet. The amount is more than sufficient for the things that I want anyway]

[That won’t do. It’s the men’s pride to provide a courtesy to women when they’re on a date, am I right. So it’ll be fine, okay~?]

[U-uh… umm… okay~!]

Her face is a bit red. Did my word hit her in a wrong place? If so, then there’s more the reason that I won’t hold back to treat her anything!

Since I’m not eating anything from this morning, plus with that ruckus that disturbs me… we stopped at the stall that mainly sells a chicken skewer. The looks are so appetizing, especially for me with this empty stomach, so I ended up buying three… as two for me and one for Anna.

One bite to that hot-pipping meat has already brought me in ecstasy. The soft and tenderness of meats, the superb combination of sweet and spiciness of the sauce, and the full-filling aroma that lingering under my nose. It’s delicious!

And before I know, both portions of meat have gone from its skewers. Even more, I finished it early than Anna, who only have one skewer. Anna also noticed the dilemma I had now and giggling for it.

Throwing the empty skewers to the trash bin, we headed to our next stop, the clothing store. As in this district, there are several shops that mainly sells this as well… but this shop stood on the top of them, Carla fashion.

From my acquaintance, it is said that the clothing here is very well hand-made. And even the quality is on par with the one that sells at the central district. As we both stand at the front store, Anna seems to fluster and hesitate to enter it. Maybe she knew this store well and couldn’t afford to buy even one clothing from it.

I put a confident smile on my face…

[Let’s go~]

Well, this is a happy day for her, so I took her hand and lead inside the store. As expected… once she took a great look at every clothes in here, she only has sparkling eyes as a child found a delicious sweet.

I asking the clerk, to find a couple of dresses that suit her. She understood and left us to search for it. While waiting, I let Anna roaming around the store, to feast her eyes with these fancy dress.

Though, I took an interest to those couples in here. I find the men look exhausting while their companion seems raring to go find another set of clothes. In fact, all the men inside this store are wearing a lethargy face.

But seeing Anna looks energetic… I release a relief sigh.

[I wonder what punishment awaits me, in exchange for this short-hapiness]

I murmuring with silently

Reminiscing back in the past, they are a lot of my innocent victims are the girls in the same age as Anna. Looking to her happy face, even those girls would emit such vibes if they’re still alive and here. Even though I’m ready to face my judgement, I’m truly scared of facing them in the other world.

The clerk’s voice stopping me from dwelling in the past and presenting me with a small bundle of clothes. It’s shocking to me for a bit with the amount of these clothes but I manage to maintain the composure.

[You can try these and find those to your liking, Anna]

[Do you mean it?]

[Yeah. Hence, onward soldier!]

[Yes sir! Hehehe]

And thus, she goes on by trying and putting these clothes for almost one hour. Now I can understand the reason behind those lethargy faces of those men.

Right after I asked Anna on which of these that she wants, she looks puzzled to choose. It won’t take long for me to decide though, as I make a decision to take all of these. Both the clerk and Anna shocked by my bold declaration, especially the clerk as she went all her self to tell the price of these dresses. All of them reach 3 gold.

To me, that price is as cheap as the chicken skewers that we had earlier, maybe even lower than that. I have 300 gold coins with me. I literally showing my adventure badge that hanging around my neck, and put out 13 gold coins on clerk’s desk… with a smug face.

The clerk seems to have a critical strike in her mind after I show these numbers. I state it that she can have the remaining balance with one condition, which is whenever a good promising dress newly out, she would send me a letter to notice me and reserve the dress for me. She took the condition heartily and bowed with excited.

*

*

*

[I’ve been meaning to ask you, Mr Rayn. Are you an adventurer? Because I never see you wearing an armour... like those guys at the inn]

[Well, wearing armour is a need but depending on your role. For example, the common job like a warrior, a guardian or a paladin… their job as a front liner is to deal the damage to the enemy and receive it as well, so the armour will be their concern. But as for me, I’m also close quarter combat, but in a stealthy one. Speed is my essence… so I only need guards for both arms and legs, as well chainmail to provide safety]

[So…you’re one of the adventures then…]

[Hmm… not quite right. I was once an adventurer, but I quit it already. The job became dangerous as you rose to an upper rank so I decide to end my career as an adventurer]

[But the badge on your neck…]

[Ah, this. The guild couldn’t let me quit so they made me work at the guild as a bodyguard or lecturer for the beginner. So the badge is for decoration]

[Oh, so that’s why you still wearing that badge]

[The badge itself has lost its values… but when I thought about to return it, it doesn’t feel right. Maybe I’ve grown to attach to it, I guess]

[If the guild couldn’t afford to lose you, then you must be an important person to them]

[I-I wonder about that!]

[Hehehe~ Oh, but… isn’t this a bit too much, Mr Rayn?]

[Hmm? About what?]

[Those clothes]

She points out the bags that I carried. Is she worried about how heavy these are??

[Not at all. In fact, don’t underestimate me, Anna. I could do even better than this, you know?]

[... are you sure?]

[Of course. Besides, a young and cute girl like you should wearing these dresses. It may come in the future when you have an occasion that requires these. So I say, these numbers are necesarry]

[Future…?]

[Yes. For example, you have been spotted on by some handsome noble’s sons or prince for your beauty. Surely you want to present them yourself with the best condition]

[Y-you compliment me too much, Mr Rayn!]

[Huh, it’s an honest remark]

Her face turns red with by my words. I guess she’s embarrassed by it. But I’ve been told by Yilvia that women like to be praised, so now I’m doing the same thing. Is it wrong, I wonder.

[How about… a bodyguard-- I mean, an adventurer?]

[Oh, so you’re like the rough and tough type, huh?]

[Eh, n-no…! just for a reference]

Her eyes avert from looking straight. How easy to read this girl.

[I see. In that case, it’ll become easier for you to get one]

[Which is… how?]

[Okay. This is an unspoken rule, but for a woman to capture an adventure’s heart… it will be through by meals]

[Oho… and what sort of meals do the job?]

Her finger moves as looks in writing a note, as expected of the daughter from the inn.

[Well, anything is fine as long as you made it with love and care. Your feelings will reach by the time you know. And of course, the effectiveness of this method will be increased if delicious walks by side with it]

[So… al I have to do is to cook something for you-- I mean, for him with unconditional love. That’s all? Sounds a clinch to me]

[heeeh… do you have that skill to begin with~?]

[Stop teasing me…!]

She hit me in the back several times with her ‘strongest’ prowess, but all I receive but nothing with a tingle. I chuckle by her cute acts while walking along the streets. We then became a bit awkward after we noticed that some people looking at us with a giggle.

Times already pass entering a lunch period. And Anna state that she wants to eat something sweet, and coincidently, so am I. We headed to a restaurant that mainly sells dessert and sweet things.

Just about entering the premise, all that I can say is that there isn’t a single man in here. The place giving me a vibe ‘men do not allowed ’ thing. Their sharp-gaze toward me is proof of it. I was ready to commence the ‘strategically retreat’ plan, but before I know… my left arm has been hugged by Anna with firm. Her eyes, gleaming with bright as were not avert from looking to a dessert with a small-mountain looking.

Thus I conclude… abort the plan earlier and went it with like a hero

*

*

*

[Ah… that was satisfying. Am I right, Mr Rayn?]

[Eh-- ah, yes it is. It was full-filling]

This girl… can fit three large glasses of dessert in her small body! And at the end, she even ate ice-cream that put on the top of baked bread with a full variety of ridiculous sweets topping. I only shook my head as being forced to witness to such battle… a truly unthinkable girl.

But it was a sight with a nice feeling to it. There is the occasion on when I have a good time, although it’s rarely happened, not to mention that all of it was with Yilvia and Saver. Now that Yilvia was no longer within my reach… I suppose that I have to find my partner to share happiness near future.

Not long after we walk-pass through the crowd… the number of people in the street has become countable. And ahead of us, there are several stalls along the street in one line. Among those, only one of them is a bit distant than the other…and sells fruit… especially apple.

[I guess that’s the stall that Maku have mentioned in the letter]

I mumble with soft

[Mr Rayn, Mr Rayn! Look, they selling cute accessories!]

[Oh, that’s great. Anna, why don’t you go ahead first. I want to buy some fruit at that stall. When you’re done, be sure to tell me]

[Okay~!]

She went to the first stall that caught in her eyes. Well, with this number of crowd… I can track her if she lost. Leaving her, I walk toward the fruit stall with calm.

The one who sells the fruit is a man in his middle-age, wearing a bandana on his head, and apron that covers her green shirt. His arms look stoic and bulky for someone who sells fruit.

[That’s some appetize-looking fruit you sell there]

[Oh! Welcome-welcome, my dear customer. We only sell the best fruit in this kingdom. Not to mention, there are also those fruits that you can’t find in this kingdom]

The man looks friendly, contradiction with his thug-appearance.

[What would you recommend for me?]

[For a good-looking like yourself, dear customer, I recommend this fruit. The name is Kiwi fruit. Do not be fooled by its normal outer appearance, because the inside is what it’s counted. Here, have a slice for yourself]

He removes that oval-shape fruit’s skin with his knife until the light-coloured green appear. And then he gave me a big slice of that Kiwi fruit. I took a peek to him, he grinning like an innocent kid while peeling other fruit that most likely for me to taste later.

I wonder that he’s the guy that Maku mentioned before. The texture of the Kiwi fruit is as he mentioned, it’s on the good side. But it’s not enough for me to ignore the reason that I came to this stall. He may act this bright because of his job.

[It’s sweet]

[Told ya… hahaha]

[It’s decided. I want seven of this Kiwi fruit]

[Of course!]

[And also, seven for the fruit that you peeling right now]

[Eh, for real?!]

[Yeah, it seems that you’re not lying and you’re honest with your job too. And also, you do your job with professionalism. I took a liking to your personal traits]

[Why, thank you Mr. Hehehe. So I’ll put all together these fruits in one bag for you]

[If you say so… Mr…]

[Ah, Troy. I’m Troy Archin]

I release a depressed sigh. It’s him alright. The guy who I supposed to meet before to execute my mission.

[Mr Troy, I just remembered. I want to buy another fruit]

[Then, I just need to prepare the next bag, since this one is full… hehehe. What fruit you want, sir?]

He looks so eager to prepare the next bag. I felt a slight let down. Turns out that he’s one of Maku’s henchmen

I took a deep breath and release. Hoping that this guy isn’t the one.

[... sir…?]

[Can I get four apples with a silver…?]

Upon hearing this sentence. The guy expression turns completely different. The air about him also changes from the way he is in the earlier. It is to be said, a local fruit, especially apple, can afford with just four copper coins.

To buy four apples with a single silver, the values are the same as like you asking for a one night at the cheap inn with one period of a meal. Even if there is someone who also offers the same price to the same order, it is most unlikely that event to happen. Only an idiot who would chip 1 silver coin to a random stall that selling their goods with copper coins as their main money’s exchanger at max.

To summarize, it’s the value of information for my next mission.

Oh, Irura…

Why didn’t I shocked by this man? He changes his true nature in a single heartbeat. His eyes show a dark and cold gaze. He tilts his face until I can get the full image of him. An evil wide smirk appears before me. His expression tells that he’s eager to do any nasty and ruthless action with a single command

It’s nothing new for me to see this kind of wicked face. But I was hoping that he isn’t the one. The image of a nice and good guy that I frame inside of my thought has shattered completely.

That troy of the fruit seller has gone and now right in front of me, is Troy the information guy.

[Why, of course… Mr Blade of the Silver]