Chapter 07 - Glasses Boy, Second Escape... And Getting Caught

Chapter 07 - Glasses Boy, Second Escape... And Getting Caught

When you hear the word "adventurer," the first thing that comes to mind is, of course, weapons and armor.

I figured my next stop for gathering information should be a shop dealing with weapons and equipment.
They’re practically inseparable from adventurers—bound together in an unbreakable relationship, I’d say.

Since Horn apparently belongs to a famous adventurer team, there’s a good chance I’ll hear some rumors about her.
I’m not looking for any deep, classified info, so they shouldn’t have any trouble answering.

Plus, I’m curious about what kinds of bows they have in the city.

—Or so I thought.

"You got business with us?"

Bingo. On my first try, I ran into a member of Dawn’s Blackbird.

I entered a weapons shop facing the main street, not far from the Adventurer’s Guild. There were about three adventurer-looking customers inside—pretty spacious place. The selection seemed decent, I guess?
As I scanned the shelves, walls, and barrels packed with all kinds of weapons, I looked for a bow but didn’t see anything resembling one.

Well, can’t help what they don’t have. I approached the elderly shopkeeper sharpening a sword in the back and asked if he knew anything about Dawn’s Blackbird.

But instead of him, one of the nearby customers answered.

"You got business with us?"

"Huh? You’re from Blackbird?"

She was unexpectedly young—and unexpectedly weak-looking. A red-haired girl, roughly my age, completely unarmed.

"Yeah, what about it?"

……Wait, what?

I don’t get it.

Dawn’s Blackbird is a three-star team, right?
If I use LoLoberu (a two-star) as a benchmark, I’d assume they’re all at least as strong as her, if not stronger.
So… what? Did I misunderstand something?

"What? …Weird glasses."

I must’ve been staring way too hard because she made a disgusted face. Not that I wanted to look at her—wait, no, that’s rude to say about a woman. It’s not like her face was so unbearable I had to avert my eyes.

But come on, can you blame me for being confused?

No matter how you look at her, she just seems like an ordinary girl. I don’t sense any of Roroberu’s overwhelming strength. Her presence feels like any random villager’s—full of openings.
And yet, she’s a member of a top-tier adventurer team? Why?

…Eh, whatever.

At the end of the day, no matter how strange or inexplicable it is, I’m just here for my sister.
No point worrying about inconsistencies. My curiosity only goes so far—if it’s not important, I don’t need to know.

"Uh, I was looking for one of your members—Horn. Do you know where she is right now?"

"Hah!?"

Her annoyed expression twisted into something even more intense—her eyebrows shot up. What’s with this reaction?

"You want to meet Horn onee-sama!? Some poor-looking brat like you!? Why!?"

Onee-sama? So she’s the little sister type, huh? I’m the little brother here. And as for why…

"—Shut it."

Just as the girl opened her mouth to keep shouting, a deep voice rumbled through the air, sharp enough to make my stomach drop.

"Quit yellin’ in the shop. This ain’t a playground for brats."

The elderly shopkeeper was glaring at us with eyes that screamed danger. …Yeah, that’s bad. That’s the look of someone who’d kill without hesitation if needed. Seriously terrifying.

Though, to be fair, I wasn’t the one making noise—most of his glare was aimed at the girl. She seemed taken aback too, shrinking under his gaze.

"Hey, kid."

Huh? Wait, am I getting dragged into this now?

"Horn’s out on a monster subjugation. She won’t be back in the capital for at least three days. You done here? If you ain’t buyin’, get out."

Oh. Right. She’s not in the capital right now. Earliest she’ll return is three days from now.

"Thanks, old man. While I’m at it, do you sell bows here?"

"We specialize in blades—no arrows here. If you need a bow, try ‘Joseph’s Shop’ in District Six."

Ah, so they really don’t have any.

"Thanks again."

Scary as his glare was, he ended up being surprisingly helpful. Got the info I needed.

Not that I owe him anything, but I figured I might as well buy something while I’m here.
But I don’t really use blades much… Hmm, maybe a skinning knife? The one I use for field dressing is getting worn out. A new one wouldn’t hurt.
Hell, maybe I’ll buy one as a memento of my trip to the city.

Thinking that, I left the shop.

"Hey, wait!"

Alright.
Now that I’ve got a lead, might as well check out this "Joseph’s Shop" in District Six. I’m curious about city-made bows.

"I said wait!"

If Horn won’t be back for at least three days, I’ll have to stay that long. The castle gave me some funds, but it’s not much. Can’t afford to waste it.

"Hey…! Seriously, wait! Hello!?"

I do have some savings from my hunter lifestyle, but it’s not a lot.

Two years ago, when Horn left for the capital, I gave her all my money as a farewell gift. Without that, I’d have a decent amount saved up.
I figured she wouldn’t be coming back to the village anytime soon—she’d probably want to splurge on street food and useless junk in the city. Back in the village, there’s no use for money anyway, and I didn’t need any at the time.

…Though, I did specifically tell her to "bring back souvenirs" and gave her extra money for that.
Yet here we are—no souvenirs, and she hasn’t even visited once.

"Glasses! Glllllaaaaaaasses!!"

…………

Now that she’s grabbed my arm, I can’t just ignore her.

"You mean me?"

"Who else here is wearing glasses!?"

"I was hoping you meant someone else. Wishful thinking."**

"What’s that supposed to mean!? Hey! In case you forgot, you’re the one who asked about Horn onee-sama!"

Can’t argue with that. She’s got a point.

—The red-haired girl from Dawn’s Blackbird, who’d confronted me in the weapons shop, had followed me out and was still tailing me.

Moving around with this noisy one in tow just draws attention. And it’s already getting crowded—the stares are annoying.
Fine, I’ll deal with her quickly and shake her off.

"Not that it matters, but my business is already settled."

The old shopkeeper told me everything I needed to know.

"To be blunt, I don’t have any more use for you."

"Well, I do!"

Yeah, figured. That’s why she chased me.

"Which way’s District Six?"

"Why are you asking that now!? I’m not letting you go until we’re done talking!"

"We can talk while walking. So, which way?"

"You’ll just run if I tell you, won’t you?"

"I won’t run. I’ll just walk very, very fast. Calling that ‘running’ hurts my feelings, you know?"

"And the truth?"

"I’ll sprint full speed."

"…Ugh."

She sighed. A tired sigh.

"Please, just hear me out? I’m not exactly free either, and I’m not trying to make a scene."

…She said please.

"Fine."

It’s probably nothing good, but I’ll at least listen.

"I won’t run this time. Let’s talk while we walk."

"Promise? Absolutely?"

"Yeah. So, which way?"

"That way, down the main street—HEY, YOU LITTLE—!! GLAAAAAASSES!!"

—Eil of Alvat Village, executing his second glorious escape of the day.

I just want to go home. I have no business in the capital.

Or so I thought, but the novelty of the city kept me entertained as I wandered around, enjoying my morning of sightseeing.

By noon, I treated myself to the famous Nastiala Kingdom dish—"Leek and Teal Duck Soup Pasta." Man, that duck’s good. Paired with leeks, it’s dangerously delicious. No wonder it’s a specialty.

I left my luggage and bow back at the inn.
Originally, I only planned to stay one night, but the castle ordered me to remain for a few days, so I’ll need to arrange an extended stay.

Once that’s settled, I’ll find a spot to practice archery…

"—Welcome back."