「 Well then, where should we go first? 」
「 Yes, how about we check if there are any skill orbs in stock? 」
「 Let’s do that, let’s go and look for stores around 」
We’re not going to the dungeon today, so we’re spending the day in the city.
Not many adventurers work every day.
They’re often in a tense struggle for life, and they can’t do it if they don’t take a rest.
We’re taking a break from that too.
Euphy’s arms are linked with mine, and we looked at the row of shops.
Her servant mode seems to be having a holiday too, she’s been like this since we left the restaurant after breakfast.
I’ve been pampering Nia these past few days, I guess she wants me to spoil her too?
We just had an intense communication last night though.
「 Euphy, do you feel anything using magic resistance? 」
「 Nothing as of now. I think I can only feel it when attacked with something that has some magic. However, it’s only level one, so it’s difficult to have a feel for it 」
「 I guess level 1s aren’t much 」
We go around the stores, talking about the skills we gained last night.
I collect mainly swordsmanship and spear arts, but it’s difficult to collect what I want.
It’s simply the number of skills that reduces the probability.
Besides, I hear that there’s a demand for the items I want.
Adventurers, knights, and soldiers who had given up on improving their skills use them as a last resort.
But, I got a new spear arts skill orb today, so I can reach level 3 by tonight.
It’s not going to be a big change for me with my teleport skills, but it still feels different to have a nice cut-off.
Now that I have the skill orb, I’m thinking of looking for the next piece of equipment I’m going to use
「 Euphy’s got to renew equipment too. Let’s spend a couple of gold coins and see what we get 」
「 But before that, I think that we need better armor for Daiki-sama. 」
Euphy prioritizes my equipment like it’s natural.
Regardless of which one fights more often, I don’t want Euphy to die, so I want to get her equipment first.
But you know, thinking about it, if I died, the slave magic would invoke and kill Euphy anyway.
Thinking about it, this situation is kinda bad, right?
Though she says she’s fine to remain a slave, I should get her released as soon as possible.,
But, will Euphy continue to stay with me if I do that?
I no longer doubt that she adores me, but that’s not the same thing.
But, I don’t want to make her do something as a follow-up based on the result.
Hmm, this isn’t the place to think about it, so I’ll just think about it tonight.
「 What’s the matter? 」
「 Nothing. That aside, I’ll go get my armor later. It’s expensive, and Euphy fights more than me, right? 」
「 That’s because I protect Daiki-sama. That also means that it would be weird if Daiki-sama has weaker armor than mine 」
「 Hmm, okay. This is an order then. We’re buying Euphy’s armor first 」
「 Uuu, I understand 」
「 How about we copper up this copper sword first? 」
「 Yes, right… I-I agree 」
Euphy replied to my unintentional dad joke.
It’s my first time seeing her force a smile.
Now it feels like I forced her to do that. I’m feeling guilty.
I won’t do that again, forgive me.
As for the equipment, I ended up replacing Euphy’s weapon with an iron sword, and her armor with a full leather armor instead of just a front cover, which seems to be a rank higher.
Women’s armor is nice.
It makes it easier to see their figure, so it has that lewd feel.
We were done shopping, so the next step was lunch, but we weren’t hungry yet.
Therefore, we looked around the streets for a little longer and it became a stroll.
After a while, I remembered yesterday.
「 What was that with Nia? It gets you curious, don’t you think? 」
「 Indeed, he’s making such a sad face… 」
Yesterday, Nia split off immediately and we didn’t get to eat at the food stall as I promised.
「 Those kids seem to be going to the dungeon together 」
「 Not exactly, I think. From their age and mood, I see them as children who grew up in the same church as Nia 」
「 Oh, now that you mention it. That’s why those kids were together exploring the dungeons. And since Nia isn’t included… 」
「 Have you noticed how many times looked at us with envious emotions? 」
「 Right, I always feel a gaze whenever the fight ends 」
「 I know how Nia feels. Nia looked like my old self. Back in the days when I looked at my brother and friends of my age with the same eyes. That’s why I know how Nia feels. I was a daughter of the Adicilton house, yet I had no combat skills, thus they call me the incompetent princess 」
Euphy had a self-deprecating smile as she speaks. She looks like she’s about to cry.
I was a little surprised to hear that from her, as she never told much about herself, partly because I never asked…but I was also a bit sentimental when I saw her sad face.
「 Ah, please don’t make that face! I don’t feel the same way anymore! Rather! I’m actually happy to have high combat skills now 」
「 I’m happy to be able to help Euphy 」
「 Yes! And I’m happy to be Daiki-sama’s strength as you helped me 」
Saying that Euphy smiled at me.
However, I feel that her smile wasn’t complete.
Well yeah, she’s recalling her past.
The country that had fallen and the family that she lost.
I know that you’re happy to have skills, but don’t force yourself.
I was thinking of how to comfort Euphy, then she suddenly had an exaggerated puffing look and then she spoke.
「 Putting me aside, how about we talk about Nia? 」
「 Nia? If we’re talking about him, the most I could say is that I’m paying him handsomely 」
「 Indeed. He looked happy about it. Uhm, if I may suggest, why don’t we take in Nia? 」
「 Take in? What do you mean? 」
「 I meant, as an ally…I guess that’s different. I think that if Nia wished for it, then I’m hoping that we could give him a similar relationship. Nia’s excellent in dungeon exploration, and never tried to snatch a magic stone at all 」
「 He sure works hard 」
「 Yes, for someone of that origin, most of them do grow up distorted. However, Nia doesn’t feel that way, instead, you can see the virtue. Therefore, I thought of taking Nia with us instead of just temporarily hiring. Uhm, Daiki-sama’s also taken a liking to Nia’s appearance, right? 」
「 W-Well yeah. He sure has a cute face, that I unconsciously spoil him 」
I’m a little conscious of it, but was I staring at Nia that much?
「 I don’t know how far Daiki-sama will go with his power, but I thought that if Daiki-sama likes Nia, and you’re willing to give your skills, then we could give Nia power as a follower 」
「 Doing it with Nia? 」
「 Nia’s a year younger than I am, but I’m sure that Nia won’t have any problems accepting Daiki-sama. Ah, but Nia has to clean up first. I’m sure that Daiki-sama will like Nia when dressed well 」
「 Hey, is Nia a gi- 」
When I was about to ask Euphy about Nia’s gender, which I already had a feeling before, a man who was walking on the side suddenly collapsed to his knees in front of Euphy.
「 H-Hime?! It’s you?! 」
「 Eh?! Gilbert? 」
「 Hime! I…I finally found you!! 」
Euphy’s eyes opened wide in surprise, and a man who looks like in his fifties held her hand with tears in his eyes.
I’m confused by the sudden event, but I instantly had an idea of who this man is.