While the afternoon, and part of the evening, went by nicely, I decided that I should act on my ideas and buy at least some of what I needed.

I asked if either of the girls wanted to come with me, but they refused. My cooking seemingly was taken as a challenge by them, as while I was thinking about what and where I should go buy, I heard a heated discussion about dinner.

But when I approached the door, someone knocked on it. And even before opening, I felt that my plans were about to be flushed down the drain. Well, at least the ones for the remainder of today.

"Lindar! The people of the guild said that you now live here." Azar explained right as he saw me, or maybe my surprised expression. Indeed, why would I not be surprised? After all, I did not expect him at all!

"Azar! Nice to see you!" I liked the guy, and he had been an authentic lifesaver in what local knowledge was concerned. But after the greeting, I had to ask, "Did you go looking for me?"

"Actually, yes." Azar started answering but then saw Kierra and Angelique, so he stopped to greet them. Only after that did he continue. "I wanted to talk with someone, and the only one that came to mind was you."

"Oh, I see." To say that I was surprised was to say nothing. Still, it wasn't as if I would run him out, so I stepped back and motioned for him to enter.

But Azar hesitated for a few moments (the hell happened to the chatterbox?!) and then somehow meekly asked, "Can we go somewhere? I probably need to drink a lot."

"Ok? I planned to go and buy a few things, so let me say goodbye, and I am all yours." Do all people here consider that any conversation leads to a tavern? I mean, what's so bad about relaxing in someone's house, especially if invited? Still, I did not plan to drink for long. I had to buy the damned materials today. Otherwise, I will lack time to complete the projects before Zelindo drags me somewhere.

***

"I feel bad for pulling you out without notice." As we reached the main street, Azar suddenly spoke up. He had spent several minutes silently, an alarming sign indeed. But he remained the helpful guy he was.

"Are you sure?" Still, I asked for confirmation.

"Sure, we can go after you finish your shopping. Even if you need to buy half the city, it's not like we can not carry it ourselves." He shrugged and even laughed at his joke.

Because of that change, I concluded that he wasn't prepared to speak yet. But it is strange why do both he and previously Gris are so proactive usually and have so much trouble speaking their mind out? Ah, well, screw that. Even a passing look into my mind would reveal that I am the same, maybe less proactive, but still.

"I take that you are familiar with the city?" And if he wanted to help, I favor the [Walking Ecyclopedia] mode until he was ready to speak.

"Yes, what kind of shop are you looking for?" Indeed, Azar immediately changed into data mode, and it was practically audible how the cogs in his brain began churning.

"First, I need wood, so a carpenter."

"There is one near the gates, and as his shop isn't on the main street, the prices are good. But we need to hurry. Craftsmen close at sunset." It took close to nothing for Azar to recall a carpenter's location and even one that wasn't pricy. Just amazing.

***

Probably the wrestler-like, bearded, and half-naked carpenter was a bit surprised by our arrival right as he was closing shop, but he did not show it. A few questions about the type, durability, color, and intended use later, he took out three different pieces of wood and explained details and prices.

"For any construct that will not need to resist a lot of weight, this [Red Cedar] is good. Three silvers a barrel of weight as a block, or four silvers if cut into planks."

Well, cedarwood was common on earth. And I think it should serve for the frame and moving parts of my [Book Machine]. And yes, I will name it that because [Printing Press] is just impossible to translate.

"Customer says that pressure will be applied, right? For that, I would recommend this [Fake Iron Wood]. It can resist a lot of punishment. You can triple its weight, and it will not bend. Four silvers a block, or seven silvers if cut."

I had heard about ironwood before. And the fact of such an increase in price for the planks meant that it was durable. So it should work as the pressure plate and for the base.

"As for wood, easy to wash, hmm. I am unsure what the customer plans to do with it, but there is [Ledrian Nut], and it's used for the scribe's desks because it is easy to clean. It is expensive though, nine silvers a block, or one gold in planks."

From what I recalled, paint and ink seeped into the wood, so for the letter and word blocks, I needed something cleanable. Sepyre knows (probably not, but well) what is a [Ledrian Nut tree] like, but I will trust the expert.

Initially, I planned to order the parts as I remembered them. But after thinking about it now and considering the implied risks and expenses, I decided to buy the material and do it myself. As for how? Wasn't my shaped mana at a level of hardness akin to iron? It was, so maybe it will not require doing anything but using the spell. And if not, well, that's something to solve later.

He also explained that planks went by barrel or half of it, which slightly eased my worries about the quantity. After all, a barrel was over 30 kg!

"Got it. I will take a block of cedar and a half of each in planks of the other two." With that in mind, and considering that 60 kilos of wood were enough not only to experiment for a bit with no loss, I decided.

"Anything else?" It was clear that the man was still surprised, but I was buying, and his eyes glimmered as I took out the money.

"Wooden nails?"

"I will throw fifty for free. As for the wood, eleven silvers." Surprisingly not even he added a bonus but even gave a half a silver discount.

Sending it to my house cost an entire silver, and I felt reluctant to pay. But I also wanted to avoid revealing I am a mage. Thankfully, Azar understood my fidgeting and explained he was a mage, and so after paying, the carpenter led us to a warehouse nearby. After confirming what was mine, Azar stored it in his [Storage], and then, saying our goodbyes, we left.

***

"I wonder, what are you planning to do with all this wood?" In a deserted alleyway nearby, he quickly summoned it, and I stored it with [Storage]. [Inventory] was and should continue to be my secret, and a fake spell would not work with his mana-sense. Still, a mana point was close to nothing anyway, and it would restore by itself shortly.

"For now, it's a secret, but when I finish it, I will show it to you if able."

Azar accepted my affirmation without questions before asking, "Now, what's next?"

"I need to visit a weapon shop and a leather smith. Gris recommended me places for both. So if you feel like it, let's go now." Considering that he had come to me to talk, I decided to leave the choice to him.

"Well, if you meant to go, let's not change the plan. Still, weapon and armor? Are you planning something?" Azar seemingly wasn't ready yet, and so the shopping would continue.

As for his question, I did not need to hide my agreement with Zelindo from him. So while we walked, I quickly explained the basics and what he asked me to prepare.

***

The weapon shop that Gris had recommended was by the gates as well, so it took only a few minutes to reach. The shopkeeper looked like a soldier, and both his slightly over-average martial skills and a scar on his neck confirmed it.

"Welcome. What are you looking for?" I had only stepped into the vast and almost empty room as he asked.

For some reason, I always thought that the weapon stores would have hundreds of them placed and hanging around, but it seems I was mistaken. [Fernaz Armamements], as it was named, was comprised of a single room where only a few, and probably decorative, spears hung on the walls and a single counter, behind which the owner sat.

"A friend said that I would be able to buy a sword here."

"What kind of sword?" He asked shortly while slightly raising from his stool and looking me over.

"One-handed, short, preferably not lightweight." Gris had more or less explained to me the kinds of swords. So I gave out the words she described as the perfect blade for me. Not that I knew what the hell she meant with the not lightweight part.

"I see, so a newbie to swordsmanship but with decent reflexes and strength. Wait here. I will go check." But seemingly, that was enough for the weapon merchant as he described almost the same things Gris had said before standing up and disappearing behind the door near the counter.

Five minutes later, the ex-soldier appeared with a sheathed sword. "This is a good choice." He said and motioned me to approach.

The first things that I noticed were the leather-covered grip, cross-like guard, and ball-like pommel. Then, as I pulled it out of the stiff leather sheath and looked at the blade, I understood why the room was spacious and empty. After all, the first thing that crossed my mind was to slash at the air and feel it differently from just holding it.

The blade itself did not look anything special. Well, at least when compared to the weapons in games and books. Close to my arm in length, so something about 75 cm, double-edged. It weighed close to two kg, double the one I obtained from the bandits before.

I can not say that I felt some connection with the sword or anything like that. Still, when I swung it a couple of times, the sword felt comfortable enough. So I turned around to sheathe it and asked for the price.

"It left the blacksmith's hands just a month ago, so seven crowns." Probably, the most descriptive words that the shop owner shared until now.

"I will take it. And may you have a crossbow perchance?" While I did not plan to enter a warzone, I considered buying something more reliable than my utility magic for protection.

"Infantry? Cavalry? Hunting?"

"Something that I can hold and shoot with one hand if needed."

"A cavalry one then. It's light and small but shoots only for ten werhn at max."

"How much?" The owner brought a crossbow about 45 cm long and wide, and I asked right away. Wooden and simple looking, it was what I imagined. Well, I lack experience in choosing weapons. And I only want it to shoot anyway.

"Five crowns for it and two packs of bolts."

"I will take it as well then."

There was a law against carrying weapons in the city. So the owner wrapped both in cloth and then placed them into a box, which he tied with rope. It wasn't needed, as I moved it into [Inventory] as soon as I left the shop and confirmed no one was looking. Probably, I should have stopped him, but well.

***

For some reason, Azar did not go in with me and waited for me outside. I did not ask why, but it was strange indeed.

In any case, with that out of the way, the next stop was the leather smith. Regretfully, by the moment we arrived, the store was closed.

"I will come tomorrow. Let's go drink then?"

"Ah yes. But before that, do you mind if we take a look there." Azar pointed at a store on the other side of the street. [Mana's Well. Odds and Trinkets. Magic and Rare.] read on the sign. Just the hell is that sign?

"Mmm, the sign looks promising, so let's go."

"Laugh, laugh, the shop will surprise you!" Suddenly Azar's manner changed, and he almost forcefully dragged me inside.

***

Well, to say that the shop didn't surprise me would be a lie indeed.

And the main surprise was, how the holy fuck I didn't kill myself in there?

In the 40 or so meters room, there was not a single centimeter of space. Even placing one's foot was impossible. As flasks, books, statuettes, medallions, and what else covered not only the tables but even the floor. But seemingly not content with that, the owner of the place had things hanging from the ceiling and the walls as well. Dried flowers, chains, and even weapons were the things that I had to avoid as Azar continued to pull me towards the empty counter.

"Soni, are you there?" Azar called, but no one appeared or spoke back. And after he repeated it ten times with the same result, I heard him mutter [Life Radar], and then, he left me alone and went somewhere between a curtain of a strange crimson cloth and a shelf filled with white animal-like figurines. As for why I am unsure where, well, I couldn't see the walls, so what about doorways.