Chapter 17
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Battle Suit
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In the Empire, there was no such position as Hero.
Swords of the Empire that cleaved through martial prowess. Sages of the Empire that pierced through magic.
That was it—divided into just those two broad categories.
Sure, finer distinctions existed within them, but the title of Hero simply didn't.
Of course not.
A Hero wasn't appointed by imperial decree.
It wasn't something you earned just by excelling in martial arts or magic.
Strength was merely a side effect.
"Lady Rain was covered head to toe in blood again today..."
"To think she's that skilled at such a young age... She looks like she's been on the battlefield longer than I have."
The people's support and trust.
They were enraptured by her self-sacrificing nature.
"Isn't Lady Rain Hero material?"
"Right? How many of the Empire's Swords would rush to the west like she does?"
Little by little, Naia Rain was becoming a Hero in the hearts of the citizens.
But... one day, Naia suddenly acquired the title of Hero.
Not through the people's support, but in a way utterly different from past Heroes.
From that moment on, she was called a Hero.
And for a time, it became the title she despised most in the world.
Her third year at the military academy—at age 19, when she became an adult.
A small classroom with just over 30 desks.
"Naia, whatcha doing?"
A girl with long brown hair spoke to her. Her name was Envy, Naia's classmate of three years.
"Envy... calling me Naia again."
"What's wrong with it? Naia sounds cuter than Naia."
- Scrape.
Envy plopped down at the desk next to Naia's.
She grinned ear to ear, clearly delighted, and struck up a conversation.
"Must be nice... Empire's 3rd Sword at 19? Top three in the whole country? I'm so jealous~."
Envy slumped over her desk, lamenting her own fate the moment she sat down.
"You're not behind anyone in magic, Envy."
"Hey... You think being 3rd in the Empire is the same as being 1st in the neighborhood? Total scam."
Envy furrowed her brow at Naia's words.
To her, this was the epitome of a scam.
You had to compare apples to apples.
Truth be told, Envy wasn't weak within the academy.
Ranked around 50th... She'd make Sage, at least.
But compared to the freak right in front of her? Child's play.
"Ugh... This cheek of yours."
"Ow, Envy... (It hurts, Envy...)"
Frustrated, she ended up taking it out on Naia's cheek.
Envy's fingers stretched Naia's cheeks long and taut.
"Ha... Naia, where you thinking of going for mandatory dispatch this year?"
"Maybe back to the west... Battlefields I've fought on before might be better."
Envy finally released Naia's cheek, her anger somewhat subsided.
She pulled a document labeled "Dispatch Preferences" from her pocket.
"Wow, we're worlds apart... I was gonna suck honey in the north."
"Or... wanna come to the west with me this time? They give good points there."
Naia had always commanded alone on the battlefield. Having a friend would put her mind at ease.
A battlefield where you watch each other's backs with a friend—romantic just thinking about it.
"Hmm... Guess I'll follow Naia to the west then."
"Just trust me."
Envy wrote "West: Dawn Fortress" on her dispatch form.
Last time Naia was dispatched west, no imperial casualties thanks to her—a famous tale.
Envy trusted the Empire's 3rd Sword.
"Envy, wanna go shopping for clothes this weekend before heading west?"
"Sure!"
Best to buy what you wanted beforehand.
Frontlines had strict inspections; nothing but weapons and basics got through.
"Heard a small merchant guild opened a clothing shop. Wanna check it there?"
"Anywhere you pick is fine by me, Envy."
Naia didn't care much either way.
She'd suggested shopping mostly for Envy's sake.
[Fleta Boutique Shop]
The huge banner bore bold letters.
The girls had arrived at the rumored store.
"Whoa... Bigger than I thought."
"Pretty big for a border clothing shop."
Envy shrank back at the shop's unexpected size.
A cute squirrel tail emblem caught the eye next to the banner.
"That merchant guild mark is adorable."
"Yeah."
Naia liked the cute squirrel tail—it matched Envy's brown hair.
"Welcome to Fleta Boutique."
A cute squirrel girl greeted them at the entrance.
"Whoa... So many clothes. Staff here's a squirrel beastkin, huh..."
Envy gawked at the rows of clothes lining the entrance.
"Looking for a specific type of clothing?"
The squirrel clerk beamed brightly.
"Nothing in mind. Just browsing."
Naia spoke up for the intimidated Envy.
"Ah, first-timers! First floor's everyday wear, second's combat gear. Call if you have questions."
"...Combat gear?"
"Yes! Magic-infused battle suits made by our guild."
The shop was two stories tall.
Combat gear on the second floor, even.
Naia couldn't fathom why a clothing store needed two floors.
But battle suits piqued her interest a bit.
She glanced at Envy, who had been listening.
"Envy..."
"Wanna check combat gear first?"
Envy's earlier shyness vanished, replaced by excitement.
She was a soldier at heart, after all.
They'd come with girls' shopping mindset, but blood couldn't lie.
"Whoa..."
Up on the second floor, Envy could only marvel.
The vibe was worlds apart from downstairs.
Unlike the bright, flashy first floor, spotlights here focused solely on each piece of gear.
Most displayed in glass cases, too.
"W-Wanna split up and browse, meet back later??"
Envy's heart pounded wildly.
She'd never seen battle suits on this scale.
Even the capital might not have them.
Naia understood.
"Meet in 10 minutes?"
"Yeah!"
Envy bounced off somewhere unseen.
"Guess I'll look around too."
Naia had never seen a shop this size either.
It sparked some curiosity.
But she lost interest soon enough.
"Nothing usable..."
Hardly surprising.
Battle suits existed to compensate for human limits.
For someone who had mastered the sword? Nothing here appealed.
[Flame-Resistant Armor: 30% Flame Resistance]
[Weight: 120kg]
"Way too heavy."
[Barrier of Protection: Distributes shock across the body.]
[500,000G]
"Too expensive."
[Invisibility Necklace: Makes clothes transparent.]
[Women only]
"......"
Each had some screw loose.
She felt bad for getting her hopes up.
Probably all like this.
- Tap.
Naia's steps halted.
"This one's... good."
[Black Rose Silk Robe: 80% Physical Resistance]
[Ask staff]
A battle suit with absurd physical shock resistance.
Seemed exaggerated to Naia.
80% physical resistance?
But if true, buy it now.
Even an Empire 3rd Sage-level mage would need years to craft it.
Problem: Too small for Naia's build.
And robe-style didn't suit her fighting style.
'Perfect for Envy.'
Envy was a mage.
Shadow magic specialized in physical resistance, even.
"Naaia~ C'mere, check this out."
Envy waved from afar, calling her over.
Naia memorized the item and headed to Envy.
"Look at this."
Envy pointed at some gear.
"This is..."
"Perfect for you, Naia."
Before her eyes: An outfit too bold for "battle suit."
Nylon-like leotard base, topped with a black bikini design.
One stocking only...
Embarrassingly skimpy for combat.
"Envy... You want me to wear this?"
"Why not? You've got the figure for it. Hehe."
Envy smirked at her.
Naia's face heated up.
She cooled it with her hand and read the description.
[Regeneration Undergarment: Regenerates damaged areas in combat, immune to clothing destruction.]
[3,000,000G]
Better than expected, unlike her guess.
Only issue: Price of an entire territory.
'Thought she was joking...'
Clothes tearing in battle was inevitable.
Naia's level could protect gear with spells.
But they guzzled mana.
Most bought pre-enchanted suits instead.
Downsides: Hefty price, thick material hindering movement.
"Looks comfy too, right? Wear it under your clothes."
"Maybe..."
Naia wavered at the specs.
"Clothing destruction immunity" tempted her.
- Smack.
"!!"
"Rain, with that body, you're hesitating? It's under your clothes anyway."
"...Envy!"
"Who'll stare mid-battle? Everyone's busy surviving."
Envy giggled, smacking Naia's rear.
Naia flustered, but... fair point.
Better than going naked?
Recasting protection spells drained more than expected anyway.
"Go try it on quick."
Envy shooed her.
Then, rapid pat-pat-pat footsteps approached.
"Yes~ Customers, try-ons are that way."
The clerk appeared instantly, flashing capitalist smile.
"......"
Suddenly, the undergarment was in Naia's hands.
"Tell me how it feels after~"
"......"
Envy had shoved her to the changing room with the clerk.
"Fine... Just trying it on."
She stripped and slipped it on.
It fit her body perfectly—better than thought.
"Comfy... No irritation at joints."
Trying it convinced her. Worth the embarrassment—had to buy.
"Excuse me, miss."
"Yes! Any discomfort?"
The clerk dashed over at her voice.
"Can I test it?"
"Of course. All second-floor items allow performance verification."
Naia grabbed the undergarment and ripped it viciously.
"......"
It regenerated good as new moments later.
Naia smiled faintly.
"Miss, then this one and..."
From that day, Fleta Merchant Guild laid the foundation to become the Empire's top guild.
...
"Bought it?"
"Yeah."
Envy waited outside the shop for Naia.
She skipped up as Naia emerged.
"See? Told ya it'd look good."
"Tested it—performance is solid."
"Hehe. Must've cost a bit?"
Envy beamed, proud of her pick.
"A little..."
"Yeah? Hmm... What's that in your other hand?"
Naia carried an extra bag.
"Oh, this? Uh... A gift."
"Gift??"
Envy startled at the word.
Truth was, she'd wanted combat gear too.
But everything felt too pricey for her means.
So she'd snuck out without saying.
"H-How much?"
"Secret. Open it quick."
Naia's eyes curved into smiles.
To Envy, she seemed foxy.
Always catching her off guard like this.
"Whoa..."
"Gift before west. It's dangerous there."
Envy opened the bag: A black robe-like garment.
Black Rose Silk Robe.
Naia had thought only of Envy seeing it.
- Sniff.
"Ugh... Th-thanks, Naia..."
Envy's nose tingled at the gift.
She couldn't hold back, burying into Naia's arms and bursting into tears.
"Waaah... You're all I got, Naia."
Naia felt she'd chosen well seeing Envy's reaction.
Even if it blew her entire annual salary.
Worth it for a friend's gift.
But... Naia didn't know.
This choice was the worst of her life.