Little Devil and Wild Horse (1)
Little Devil and Wild Horse (1)
'Little Devil' Anethsa.
A woman who hides mischief behind her cute and lovely face.
Despite her somewhat youthful appearance, she was actually older than me.
"What brings you here?"
Instead of answering, Anethsa twisted her bright pink hair around her finger.
For some reason, she seemed to be gauging my reaction.
When I waited silently, she cautiously opened her mouth.
"Umm... It's nothing particularly important. I just happened to hear some news about Rene-yang today."
Ah, the dire wolf story.
Since it reached her ears, the rumors must have really spread far and wide.
And since the person at the center of the story was her coworker, it was only natural she'd be curious.
"I see what you mean. Feel free to ask if you're curious about anything."
"R-really?"
"Yes."
I didn't have anything to do until being called anyway.
As if she'd been waiting for my permission, Anethsa raised both arms and cheered excitedly.
"A heroic tale! I want to hear Rene-yang's heroic tale firsthand!"
Her sparkling eyes and pleading expression made my stern face soften slightly.
Who would believe this innocent-looking girl was actually the oldest prostitute in our establishment?
"Then I'll tell you the story properly from the beginning."
I gave Anethsa a concise but vivid account.
The merchant's carriage being ambushed and the sheep massacre.
Tracking those clues and encountering the dire wolf.
The fierce battle that ensued.
I couldn't reveal my recovery ability, so I embellished some parts of the combat description.
Anethsa, completely engrossed in my story, kept clapping her hands in admiration.
"Amazing! Just like a noble knight vanquishing evil! It's the kind of thrilling tale you only read in books!"
"Well, I'm just a mercenary grunt, not a knight."
"Still! You're so cool, Rene-yang!"
I didn't expect her to like it this much. I unconsciously straightened my shoulders.
Feeling embarrassed under her idolizing gaze, I averted my eyes.
"You can speak casually to me. You're my senior, after all."
I deliberately avoided mentioning age—a sensitive topic for women.
Hearing my suggestion, Anethsa clasped her hands together and smiled brightly.
"Really? Then you can just call me Anethsa too."
"Alright, Anethsa."
"Yeah! Rene!"
I'd felt fond of Anethsa from our first meeting.
Her pink eyes slightly resembled Rubyia's. And her always cheerful, bright demeanor too.
"...Actually, I misunderstood you until now."
"Misunderstood?"
"I thought you were a bit scary. You're tall compared to me and have that unusual mercenary background."
Truthfully, my cold aura probably had more to do with it.
A familiar story.
While men might not care, women often instinctively feared me.
"But after talking, I realized you're so considerate and kind."
"I think I'm quite ordinary."
"No way! You're genuinely nice! Our place has so many mean girls!"
Is that so? I wouldn't know since Madam and Anethsa are the only ones I've properly talked to.
When I stayed silent, Anethsa pouted and stuck out her lips.
"And Madam too. Calling someone as pretty and nice as you 'Wild Horse'? She should've gone with something like Black Rose or Black Crystal."
I quietly observed her grumbling.
If anything, 'Little Devil' was worse than 'Wild Horse'.
Since black magic actually exists in this world, it sounded rather ominous as a nickname.
"Ah! Your appointment's here. See you later, Rene~♡"
Anethsa winked and blew me a kiss.
Without thinking, I raised my hand in response to her cute gesture.
Though technically my unnie, her level of charm was something I could never hope to match.
Soon after, I received my own appointment and returned to the bedroom.
As always, I spent the night moaning in a man's embrace until late hours.
The next day, I woke up late morning and stepped outside.
Many places to visit today.
First, I headed toward the shopping district.
While I had spare clothes, I only owned one corset, belt, and cloak.
I replaced my outfit at the same store.
At the smithy, I bought several daggers to hang at my waist.
I didn't forget to have the Armingsword's blade sharpened either.
By the time I finished re-equipping, it was already afternoon.
Remembering my promise with Daygan, I immediately turned toward the guild.
"Ah. You're here."
Daygan, with stacks of documents beside him, looked at me with tired eyes.
He seemed particularly busy today.
After rummaging through his desk, he handed me a small map.
"This is the armory we collaborate with. I've explained everything. They'll recognize you when you arrive."
"Thank you."
The map was simple and easy to follow.
Leaving the guild with slightly excited steps, I headed toward the armory.
Though not usually materialistic, new equipment was different.
The lustrous black hide of the dire wolf.
Armor crafted from such magnificent material—just imagining it thrilled me.
I hadn't even placed the order yet, but anticipation already bubbled up.
High-quality black leather would undoubtedly suit me perfectly.
Eventually, I reached my destination.
A sizable armory with several employees—quite a large establishment.
Being affiliated with the Mercenary Guild suggested it was reputable.
"Hello. I'm here to see Master Heinrich."
"Ah, Miss Rene? Please come this way."
Following the employee, I passed through two doors into an elegant private room.
A middle-aged man inside was deeply focused on his work.
That must be Master Heinrich with his intimidating mustache.
Though judging people by appearances was rude, he gave me slightly perverted vibes.
"Master, our guest from the Mercenary Guild has arrived."
Sensing our presence, Heinrich looked up at me.
His gaze swiftly scanned me from head to toe.
A mere instant.
But I clearly noticed his eyes lingering particularly on my chest.
Men will be men, I suppose.
What they'd never guess is how women instinctively detect even the faintest lustful glance.
We just pretend not to notice to avoid awkwardness.
Heinrich pretended to casually look away and set down his tools.
After straightening his clothes, he gave me a formal greeting.
"A pleasure, Lady Rene. I am Heinrich of Epoke."
"Nice to meet you, Master Heinrich."
Responding to his polite manner, I placed a hand over my chest and slightly bowed.
More a warrior's greeting than a lady's.
Considering I wasn't even wearing a skirt, it felt more appropriate.
"The guild manager informed me. You wish to commission armor from dire wolf hide."
"Yes. A cuirass, pants, gloves, and boots."
Essentially covering my entire body.
It would likely cost quite a bit, but that didn't matter.
I'd saved up precisely for occasions like this.
And selling the dire wolf's other materials would bring substantial income.
"Lady Rene? If I may ask, what's your budget?"
Budget, huh?
Including the dire wolf materials' value, I had about 12 denars.
Twelve gold coins—my entire savings.
"Around 12 denars for now. Considering production time, perhaps up to 15 denars."
"Hmm."
Heinrich stroked his mustache with a troubled expression.
Surely that amount couldn't be insufficient?
"Dire wolf hide requires special processing, making production quite expensive."
"...Are you saying 15 denars isn't enough?"
"Indeed. Gloves and boots might be possible, but a cuirass and pants would be difficult."
Then I'd need to change plans entirely.
Just gloves and boots would be pointless.
What good are intact limbs if my chest and groin remain exposed in battle?
"What about making undergarments instead? Like a short camisole and panties."
"Oh? Not a bad idea. That should fit your budget."
Undergarment-style tank top and hot pants.
The best compromise—minimizing material while protecting vital areas.
"They won't chafe, will they?"
"No need to worry. We can line them or process the leather to rival silk's softness. Without compromising protection."
That was a relief.
Comfort mattered most for garments covering sensitive areas.
Truly master craftsmanship worthy of his reputation.
"Camisole length just below the chest. Panties covering the buttocks."
"Understood. We'll minimize hide usage to the extreme."
Being undergarments, slightly shorter was fine.
If another accident like two days ago occurred, just covering my privates would suffice.
Better to be called a perverted slut than a crazy woman.
"Lady Rene? For measurements... Unfortunately, we have no female staff."
"It's fine if it's just light contact."
Naturally, a blacksmithing/tanning shop would lack women.
I didn't particularly mind.
After nightly encounters with all sorts of men, such minor contact meant nothing.
"If you're comfortable, then I must beg your pard—"
"Wait."
Heinrich stopped the approaching male employee.
The sudden interruption drew my attention.
Clearing his throat, he calmly continued.
"Ahem. Lady Rene is a VIP personally introduced by the Mercenary Guild manager. We must serve her flawlessly."
"Uh... Quite right, Master."
"Therefore, I'll take the measurements myself. You may leave."
"Eh?"
Though the employee looked dumbfounded, Heinrich remained firm.
Eventually, the hesitant employee quietly exited, closing the door.
Watching this farce, I nearly snorted in amusement.
A gold-paying customer could be considered VIP, true.
But treating a commoner like me so formally was unnecessary.
Especially the master personally handling measurements—how transparent.
His intentions were painfully obvious.
My first impression proved correct.
That bizarre mustache practically screamed "I'm a pervert!"
"I'd prefer this not take too long."
Removing my cloak, I placed it on a nearby table.
Who did it didn't really matter anyway.
I stood still, waiting as he picked up a measuring tape—except Heinrich didn't move.
"Did you have something else to say?"
"Hmm. Lady Rene. To avoid misunderstanding—you do wish to conserve hide as much as possible?"
"That's correct."
What more was he leading up to?
I stared silently, prompting him to continue.
Avoiding eye contact, Heinrich added hesitantly.
"Then extremely precise measurements would be necessary."
"Surely you're not suggesting I strip to my undergarments?"
"Well. If the lady permits, that would ensure perfect measurements."
Not entirely unreasonable—they were undergarments after all.
The problem was his motives clearly weren't professional.
"This is purely a budget-conscious, rational suggestion. I explicitly state I have no ulterior motives."
As if I'd believe that.
Though putting on a serious face, faint anticipation lurked in his expression.
"...Sigh. Fine. Just make it quick."
I'd play along despite knowing better. I needed this deal.
To save even a single coin, what wouldn't I do?
Not that I was completely unaffected.
Master Heinrich would never know.
How drastically my opinion of him had plummeted.
"I'll, uh, turn around briefly."
"Just watch. You'll need to measure anyway."
"Ahem. If you insist."
Before Heinrich's eyes, I began removing my clothes layer by layer.
The corset shaping my figure and the belt holding my daggers.
Unbuttoning the white blouse completely.
Finally sliding the leather pants down past my ankles, standing before him in only undergarments.