Chapter 29: Let’s Go Shopping with the Exiled Marquise 1
“Shin, what exactly is this Adventurer Rank?”
It happened at the diner we had entered to get some dinner.
Naturally, Erica had never cooked before, and while it wasn’t that I couldn’t cook, I couldn’t make anything I’d be willing to serve Erica.
The only cooking I knew was the kind adventurers make outdoors.
My master and my senior apprentices were people who didn’t seek flavor in their food, so the dishes I learned were much the same.
Therefore, when two people like us tried to manage daily meals, eating out became inevitable.
Originally, it’s difficult time-wise for adventurers to cook for themselves anyway, so Hecate had numerous diners and pubs aimed at adventurers, meaning we weren’t inconvenienced.
“What do you mean by ‘what exactly’?”
I asked back while swallowing some fried potatoes.
Incidentally, since we had the money from selling the Golden Ogre Magic Stone, this was a slightly pricier diner.
“When you mentioned the Adventurer Rank several times, I thought it represented strength. If that’s the case, why didn’t your Rank increase after defeating the Golden Ogre?”
That was a common misunderstanding.
“The Golden Ogre is the kind of monster the Guild designates as an emergency Subjugation target, isn’t it? Being able to subjugate it should be sufficient proof of strength, I would think.”
Erica didn’t seem dissatisfied or complaining about the Rank not increasing; she simply seemed curious.
“It’s true that Adventurer Rank is also a rank of strength.”
I moistened my lips slightly with water before continuing.
“But strength alone doesn’t determine the Rank. Things like quest completion rates are also important for raising your Rank.”
I explained, waving my fork like a conductor’s baton.
Fortunately, Erica ignored my bad manners.
“Simply being strong isn’t enough to reach a high Rank.”
However—
“Though a weak adventurer won’t reach a high Rank either.”
“I see,” Erica said.
“In that case, since our request itself was a failure, our evaluation must be quite low, mustn’t it?”
Erica laughed as if she found that very fact amusing.
“It’s not just starting from scratch, it’s starting from negative, isn’t it?”
Erica’s eyes narrowed happily.
The eyes of someone who had found prey, or perhaps, a goal.
“How interesting.”
“I’m just glad you seem to be enjoying yourself.”
I said that truly, from the bottom of my heart.
＊
The next day, we went out shopping in the district where the town’s shops were gathered.
Our main objectives were to procure Erica’s equipment as an adventurer and to find a replacement for my Sword, which had shattered into pieces and met its demise.
“This is…”
Erica held out a piece of Armor towards me with a somewhat perplexed look on her face. It was incredibly revealing.
“Is this alright?”
Good question. I also doubted the sanity of the shopkeeper who decided to display this in their store.
“There are adventurers who favor using things like that. It’s the way of thinking that as long as you protect the vital spots, that’s good enough.”
“I see.”
Erica nodded, but I prayed she wouldn’t choose it, no matter what.
I didn’t have confidence my sanity would hold.
The shopkeeper, who was looking this way with strangely expectant eyes, seemed to have already lost his sanity, but I still had mine.
“Also, wearing only that is something only the hardcore ones among those adventurers do.”
The shopkeeper clicked his tongue, but when I glared at him, he averted his gaze unnaturally.
“Erica, you’re a typical Magic Swordsman type, so it’s a viable equipment choice, but…”
The shopkeeper repeatedly made a fist pump gesture.
“Judging from the strength of your Physical Enhancement, you could pass as a pure swordsman type, so I don’t recommend it.”
“You’re right. I would be a little troubled if it were recommended, anyway.”
Saying so, Erica returned the overly revealing women’s Armor to the shelf.
Behind her, the shopkeeper was gritting his teeth in frustration, but ignore him, just ignore him.
Seriously, what is with this shop? Or rather, what is with that shopkeeper?
If it wasn’t for the recommendation from Lana-san, the Guild Staff member, I would’ve stormed out immediately.
Still, annoyingly, the selection was abundant, the prices were cheap, and the quality was good.
Aside from the shopkeeper’s weirdness, it was definitely a good shop by any measure.
I pondered the absurdity of the world while picking up a pair of monster leather gauntlets.
“By the way, Shin, do you have a favorite color?”
Erica asked while looking over the shop’s merchandise.
Color, a favorite color, huh.
“Nothing in particular, but if I had to say, it’d be blue.”
“Why is that? And for it being your favorite color, you don’t seem to own anything blue.”
I looked down at myself.
Mostly black so dirt doesn’t stand out, the only color was about the brown of my leather belt.
There was no trace of the blue I claimed to like.
I answered with a wry smile.
“I like blue because it’s the color of the sky. I don’t wear it because I’m the type who feels hesitant about the things I like the most.”
“I see. That is indeed very like you.”
She seemed thoroughly convinced.
Which answer did she find convincing, I wonder?
Erica nodded with a “Hmm.”
“I’ve decided.”
Saying that, Erica walked off towards the counter.
Left behind, I wondered if I should wait outside, told Erica—who was talking to the shopkeeper at the counter—and left the shop.