A Date? No, Just Armor Shopping... Right?

"A date?!"

"As expected of the Commander! Thank you so much!!"

"Mm. Eat well and rest properly."

The mercenaries erupted in cheers the moment I turned away.

"Kyaa! Our Commander is the best!"

"This one's mine~"

"The leg is mine! Don't touch it!"

"Hey! I called dibs first!"

I stopped by a nearby restaurant first and ordered fried chicken and beer for the entire mercenary group, just like last time. It was the same place that had received such a positive reaction before, so I chose it again without hesitation. And as expected, the response was explosive.

The sudden gift of free time sent the mercenaries bouncing around like they were about to start doing backflips on the spot.

"As expected... this is the true bearing of an outstanding Commander...!"

"Ahem."

I had no idea why Cerise suddenly appeared at my side again, eyes sparkling as she showered me with praise. It wasn't unpleasant... but it did feel a little embarrassing. Still, I didn't bother refusing her.

"Alright. Then let's head straight to the armor shop."

"Yes! Excellent idea, Commander! Let's hurry... I mean, let's proceed at a leisurely pace!!"

Didn't people usually say 'hurry' in situations like this? I'd noticed it since last time, but Cerise really did seem like a rather peculiar person. Well. Her quirks were charming in their own way.

Anyway, we set off to find an armor shop in Leria Village.

"Hmm... where should we start?"

I crossed my arms and began pondering. Leria Village was no small town, so naturally there were multiple armor shops. The question was, which one to visit first? I was completely clueless about this sort of thing. And truthfully, I'd never once stepped foot in an armor shop ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠before, so I had no idea which ones were any good.

The Ska Mercenary Group had always been short on funds until now. Starting with this opportunity, we could spend freely, earn more money with our improved gear, and grow stronger. Simple as that!

"Um. Commander. May I take the lead?"

"Very well. Lead the way. I'll follow right behind."

"Yes! I shall treat you to the absolute best route...!"

Cerise looked absolutely thrilled at the prospect of commissioning new armor. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she strode confidently ahead.

I completely understand that feeling!

The joy of clearing a quest in a game, receiving your reward, and then buying top-tier equipment to test its performance...! It was an addictive kind of happiness that was impossible to quit. Cerise was probably feeling something similar.

"Th-there...!"

"Hm?"

What? Weren't we supposed to be going to an armor shop?

Cerise suddenly changed direction and headed toward a street stall. Upon closer inspection, the sign read King Chicken Skewers.

"C-Commander! Would you... perhaps like to share some skewers with me?!"

Oh dear. She must have really wanted them. She was so excited she even bit her tongue. Poor thing. Still, it made sense. Even Cerise had things she craved. She was only human, after all.

"Let's do that, then. We have plenty of time right now anyway."

"Y-yes! Thank you, Commander...!"

"No need to thank me for something so small."

Was buying a single skewer really something to be this moved about?

Ah. I suppose it would be.

She had once told me that she lost her father at a young age and had lived in constant poverty because of the previous commanders. There must have been many things she wanted to eat as a child. Things that could suddenly appear in her mind at any moment. But Cerise had never been able to enjoy any of that growing up.

How pitiful...

Alright. From now on, I would make sure she could eat whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted!

"Ah, welcome!"

"Mm. Nice to meet you. Two skewers, please..."

"N-no! One is enough! Just one, please!!"

Cerise suddenly cut me off. Was there really a reason to buy only one...?

"I-I'll just have a taste. So one is plenty...!"

"There's no need to..."

"One skewer, please!!"

"Uh... mm. Understood. One skewer, then."

"Yes. That'll be two copper coins."

It was absolutely not because I was intimidated by those hollow, slightly manic eyes. Absolutely not.

Anyway, we ordered one skewer. Since I only had gold coins on me, I paid with one. The stall owner's eyes widened like saucers at the sight of it. He said he only had ninety silver coins in change, so I told him to just give me what he had.

"Thank you so much, my lord! I'll give you the absolute best one I have!!"

The owner kept bowing deeply as he began preparing the skewer with the intensity of someone fighting for their life.

Whoosh!

The stall owner who was literally breathing fire from his hands was so fascinating that I used Talent Insight on him. As expected, he possessed a flame-related ability. Even with a talent like that, there were many people who simply lived ordinary lives.

If it were me, I would've gone crazy trying to become a mercenary with even the smallest ability.

This must be what 'normal' looked like in this world. It was another moment that made me truly feel like I had come to another world.

"Sorry for the wait! Here is my masterpiece chicken skewer!!"

"Mm. Thank you."

"Have a wonderful day, my lord!! Thank you again!!"

Leaving behind the owner who bowed so deeply his back formed a perfect ninety-degree angle, we continued on our way.

"Vice-Commander Cerise. Go ahead and eat."

She had been waiting so eagerly for this. I wasn't particularly hungry, so I tried to hand it to her right away.

"N-no... um... Commander, you should have a bite too!"

"Mm. I'm not hungry right now, so it's fine."

"Uh... uhh...? This isn't how it was supposed to go...?"

Cerise suddenly turned around and muttered something under her breath. What was that about? Had she lost her appetite?

"Eat it before it gets cold. It'll taste better that way."

"N-no! Commander! Please take a bite!!"

"I don't really want to..."

"I will not eat a single bite until the Commander has had one first!!"

Uh... mm. Was she trying to be considerate because she didn't want me to just watch her eat? Seeing her so determined, I had no choice but to give in.

"Mm. Then I'll have just one bite."

"Y-yes!!"

Nom—

The tender chicken melted in my mouth, perfectly balanced with a sweet and slightly spicy sauce. It was a skewer made just right. I used to love these kinds of things when I was young. When I was young... yeah.

"Now it's your turn, Vice-Commander Cerise. You can throw away the part I bit..."

"N-no! ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I could never throw it away!! Please give it to me!!"

"Uh... here you go."

She seemed to have a very strong aversion to wasting food. Well, that was a good habit to have.

"Th-the part where the Commander's lips touched...! Gulp..."

Cerise stared at the skewer so intensely it looked like it might crumble under her gaze. She muttered something, then began devouring the skewer with incredible speed. Just how badly had she wanted to eat it?

I decided I would buy her lots of different foods from now on.

"Hehe... inside me..."

"Are you finished, Vice-Commander Cerise?"

"Y-yes! Now let's head to the armor shop...!"

In the blink of an eye, Cerise had demolished an entire large chicken skewer. It really had been delicious. She looked a little dazed for a moment, but then ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠her face brightened even more than before as she led the way toward the armor shops.

"We'll come again next time."

"Yes. Well then..."

This made the third armor shop we'd visited. I left empty-handed once again.

Tsk... they're all a bit lacking. Nothing really catches my eye.

The reason I hadn't bought anything after visiting three shops already was simple: none of the armor I inspected with Talent Insight had satisfied me.

I wasn't the type to skimp on equipment. Good gear was essential if you wanted to bring out your full potential. People say a true craftsman doesn't blame his tools? Of course not. Anyone worthy of being called a craftsman would already be using excellent tools, so why would they blame them?

"Commander. Did this place not meet your standards either...?"

"Hmm. It feels a little insufficient..."

Since I planned to buy armor for the entire Ska Mercenary Group, I had been prepared to spend a considerable amount. However, despite the high prices, every shop we visited offered gear that was either mediocre or barely passable.

"Then only one shop remains. Shall we try that last one?"

"I'm sorry, Vice-Commander Cerise."

I was starting to feel bad for wasting her time. Maybe I was being too picky.

"N-not at all, Commander! I actually... ahem. I have plenty of time!"

"I see. Thank you."

"Th-then let's head to the final armor shop...!"

As expected... it really was only Cerise. If anyone else had to waste this much time, even I would have gotten irritated... but Cerise didn't show a hint of annoyance. She simply continued forward with the same bright smile on her face.

Thank you... Cerise!!

I sent her a tearful thank-you in my heart and followed after her.

"This is the last armor shop in Leria Village."

"Hmm... it looks quite old."

Spin's Forge. At a glance, it was clearly ancient. Parts of the sign were even worn away, making the name difficult to read.

Actually, this might be promising?

As a veteran gamer who had sunk countless hours into games, my instincts were tingling. The more rundown a forge looked, the more likely it was to house an exceptional blacksmith! I'd seen this exact cliché countless times — discovering truly outstanding equipment in a shabby little workshop like this!

And wasn't there a saying?

"If it's old, it means it has survived."

For a building to have lasted this long in such a state, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the owner must possess considerable skill!

"Let's head inside."

"Yes!"

Creeeeak...

The old hinges groaned as we opened the door. My heart raced with anticipation as I stepped into the dusty forge.

"Hmm."

The interior was, in a word, a mess. Dust flew everywhere as if it had never been cleaned. Every piece of furniture was coated in a thick layer of it. Clothes, newspapers, papers — everything was scattered about haphazardly.

"Is anyone here?"

".............."

There was no answer. It felt like no one lived here at all, like an abandoned house. What? Was this place really empty? Had my instincts been wrong...?

"Mmm... mmm..."

Then, the torn blanket on the dusty sofa began to move.

"Haaam... who is it?"

"Ahem."

"......This is...!"

The newspaper suddenly shot upright, revealing someone completely unexpected — a stunning beauty. Her skin had a slight bronze tone, and her brown hair was tied back carelessly. She wore nothing but an oversized t-shirt, scratching her stomach as she yawned.

Whoa.

Was she not wearing pants? This was the legendary 'missing lower half' fashion I'd only ever heard about. And because she was scratching her belly, her shirt had ridden up enough to expose her midriff.

Grind. Crunch.

And what was that noise I'd been hearing since earlier? Were there rats in here or something?