Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Date with Karin
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A few days after arriving in Zaltzburg.
Finally, the day had come to go get fitted for armor with Karin.
Usually, noobs who are trying romance for the first time get all hyped up and can't even sleep, but I wasn't dumb enough to pull that crap. I slept like a baby and woke up refreshed.
That didn't mean I skipped out on looking sharp, though.
A few days earlier, I'd bought a sleek black suit from a pretty pricey clothing shop around here and had it tailored to fit. I'd even gotten a fresh haircut.
'A clean look gets you halfway there with the ladies.'
With that solid bit of confidence, I waited by the fountain in front of the meeting square. Sure enough, Karin came walking toward me.
Her golden hair gleamed like sunlight, her skin was snow-white, and she wore a flowing light-green blouse with a brown skirt.
It was the kind of everyday outfit city girls often sported—nothing fancy—but the woman wearing it was so stunning that everyone's eyes naturally locked onto Karin.
"...Damn, she's gorgeous. No way she's some noble lady?"
"If she was, she'd be in a silk dress or gown, idiot. Looks like she's waiting for someone. Go hit on her."
"You? With that mug? A beauty like her's gotta have some rich noble or pretty-boy gigolo on the hook."
We weren't officially dating yet, but as the guy closest to her, I soaked up their praise with a smug grin.
Made sense, too. Karin was gonna be my woman someday, and those losers would be left sucking their thumbs watching from afar.
"Senior, you're already here?"
Karin smiled at my words.
"Martin, you're the one who got here early? We've still got time before the appointed hour."
"I was too excited about hanging out with you today, so I came ahead. By the way, you look beautiful all dressed up. It suits you perfectly."
Karin clenched and unclenched her hand, then turned her head away.
"I heard from Captain Dalton. He said Count Zaltzheim sweet-talked all the noble ladies at his banquet like that to reel them in."
There was something fresh and alluring about her showing a hint of dissatisfaction, unlike her usual self.
"What, are you jealous? I heard you've been getting cozy with those ladies over there."
Karin pouted at my words.
"No, it's just... I'm worried you'll go flirting with all those highborn ladies."
"So you're afraid I'll fall for one of them..."
"I trust you aren't the type to get swept up by women like that. But still..."
With that, Karin's cheeks flushed, and she trailed off.
No point pushing my luck any further.
"I've never tried to charm them, Senior. If anything, those uninterested ladies kept coming at me—I thought I was gonna die of embarrassment. If I'd turned them down wrong, it'd cause trouble for the mercenary corps. And if I'd accepted some trinket, Count Zaltzheim would've said something like this."
Karin perked up her ears at my explanation.
"Like what?"
"Looks like you're getting along with Lady So-and-So. A match made in heaven, eh? How about it? I'll support your love if you become my knight. A guy who ditched his knighthood to mercenary his way up? Marry some girl I don't love just to be the count's knight? I'd rather die."
At that, the corner of Karin's mouth twitched upward.
"Is that right? Then let's head to the workshop. They make everything from cheap stuff to top-tier weapons and armor, so I'm sure you'll find something you like, Martin."
"Sounds good. I'll keep my expectations high."
**
When we arrived at the workshop Karin led me to, my eyes went wide.
"Surprised, huh? Zaltzburg might not be a massive city, but it's full of dwarves with real craftsmanship, so they've got plenty of quality goods. Not the ultra-high-end armor and weapons for lofty rich folks like Captain Dalton, mind you."
"Yeah, I can tell just from that sword hanging in the corner over there..."
I picked up the iron sword displayed out front for a quick feel.
The edge was razor-sharp, and the balance was perfectly distributed—heavy, but easy to wield.
"Usually, shops like this stock their cheapest stuff out front. And their cheapest is this good?"
Karin shrugged and chuckled at my words.
"See why I brought you here?"
"This place is insane."
"Right? If you're getting armor fitted, Martin, you should do it here instead of wasting time elsewhere."
If the cheap stuff was this impressive, I could only imagine the high-end pieces...
"Let's see... This bow uses minotaur horn, so it'll pack a punch... That one over there is made from elder ent wood..."
I watched Karin seriously browsing bows. Armor was cool and all, but she was locked in.
She didn't even notice me sidling up, too busy comparing two of them.
At this rate, someone could carry her off and she wouldn't notice.
As I stared, she shot me a glance.
"What're you staring at?"
"Oh, just got interested watching you pick a bow, Senior."
"Yeah? So which do you think suits me better? Left or right?"
Both were pricey, enchanted models.
The left one with minotaur horn had a power-boost enchantment, but it'd take serious strength per shot—probably a burden for a woman like Karin.
The right one, elder ent wood, sacrificed some power for easier draw weight.
Plus, it let you infuse mana to add wind to arrows—perfect for her quick, precise vital-target style.
"Isn't the ent wood one better for you, Senior?"
Karin smirked on one side.
"Why's that? Don't tell me it's because I'm an elf and ent wood just fits."
"I've seen you shoot a few times. You prefer speed and accuracy over max power. The minotaur horn one wouldn't suit that."
She beamed at me.
"All that talk, but you've been paying attention to me."
"Aren't we close like that, Senior?"
"Cut the slick crap."
Karin ducked her head, then lifted the bow with a smile.
"Aren't you getting armor, Martin? You're a platoon leader now—might as well get fitted here."
I hadn't planned on buying here at first.
"No point shopping around; nothing'll top this place. Alright, I'll get one here. Let's see what they've got that's decent..."
As we browsed, a dwarf from the workshop strode over.
"Platoon leader already at your age? Mercenary, or army under some noble?"
I hadn't asked for help, but he was grilling me out of nowhere. Caught me off guard...
"Platoon leader for the White Beard Mercenary Corps, a small outfit."
"That little mercenary group that shone when Count Zaltzheim screwed up around here? Impressive for a young pup to lead a platoon there."
I shook my head at that.
"Too modest, and it's poison. Hah, fine. The junk out here won't cut it for you."
The owner opened a door behind him and hauled out a suit of armor.
"Top-grade stuff with 15% mithril—even senior knights seek it out. Was stressing over who to sell it to after the last war killed the guy who ordered it. But you? It'll do."
"Who was the buyer?"
"Mid-tier knight from the Baltrant family, I heard."
Coincidence? I killed that bastard.
"How much?"
"40 gold coins. Won't find better at this price. Buy it, and I'll tailor it perfect."
"Isn't that too cheap? Figured at least 60."
The owner snickered.
"Don't want it? Fine."
"No, that's not it. How much with the bow Senior Karin's holding?"
"She your girl or something?"
Karin flushed red.
About 30 seconds passed before she denied it.
"What nonsense. Just a close junior."
"Looked that way, is all."
"Owner, cut the chatter. Total?"
"50 gold. That bow's enchantment is solid, so it's pricey. Two items, so 2 off."
Karin tried to stop me when she heard the bow was 12 gold, but I paid in full with platinum.
The owner whistled.
"Manly. Fitting takes a week. Cool?"
"Staying over two months anyway. Oh, and when I pick it up, throw in a mid-tier mage's staff and eight broadswords."
"Got it."
And with that, I left the workshop.
Karin asked, sounding a bit burdened.
"You sure that's okay? Giving me a 12-gold bow."
12 gold wasn't pocket change.
It was a full year's pay for Pior.
But to win Karin's favor? Dirt cheap.
I answered with a playful grin.
"Then keep sticking with me and watch my back. You've saved my ass a few times already, so I trust you."
Karin didn't reply.
She just bowed her head, her face red as a ripe persimmon, and nodded.
A few weeks later, the White Beard Mercenary Corps' new recruit drive finally wrapped up.
Excluding veteran senior mercenaries and up, we'd pulled in a whopping 130 fresh faces.
"Cute little fledglings. Time to grind 'em till they drop."