#T/N: This Side Story’s Shopping part is adapted in Chapter 35 of Tate no Yuusha no Oshinagaki.
“Lady Raphtalia! Let’s go shopping!”
“Aren’t we fugitives?”
Currently, the four of us… L’Arc-san, Therese-san, Glass-san, and I are on the run, hiding from the public eye as we head towards the Dragon Hourglass in an attempt to escape out of the enemy’s country. In the midst of this, L’Arc-san casually suggested that we go shopping in town.
Therese-san and Glass-san weren’t objecting to it for some reason, which led to me calling him out on it.
“It’s fine, it’s fine! It’ll be okay as long as we act confident!”
“Indeed, it’s not as if this country can put our names on the wanted list directly,” Glass-san backed him up as if she’s familiar with the situation.
“Haah…”
Being the only one in opposition to the idea, I was unable to refute the decision.
Even when I was on the run with Naofumi-sama back then, we were often wary of other people’s gazes…
In the end, just like L’Arc-san said, there was no particular fuss. Maybe it’s because everyone suggested that I hide my ears and tail…
“How much will this be?”
“Right…”
L’Arc-san and the others are trying to make money by having the merchant buy the armor they took out of their weapons.
Seeing that they’re trying to get the merchant to buy it normally, I unveiled the hood I was wearing just enough to show my face to the merchant. Then, with a honeyed voice, I ran my fingers over the armor and said, “This is something I used to love. Could you buy it just for a little bit more?”
The trick is to add a slightly higher pitch to the end of my words.
If it were Naofumi-sama here, he would likely point towards me and claim that it was something that I had been wearing instead.
“Wait—”
For some reason, L’Arc-san and the others look dumbfounded.
The merchant then looks towards me and the armor, switching his gaze between the two before looking to L’Arc-san with a face of interest.
“Well then, how about this much?”
When presented with the offer, L’Arc-san and the others were faced with an amount much higher than they had expected.
“Umm, Lady Raphtalia?”
“Yes?”
“… No, nothing.”
What’s wrong? L’Arc-san and the others are acting strange.
With that done, we proceed to buying food supplies.
“Oh? That looks delicious.” L’Arc-san is examining the fruits while contemplating on whether to go with the purchase or not at the place where an aunt was selling her fruits.
“I agree!”
“Our fruit is fresh!” said the Aunt.
I comb through every nook and cranny within the fruits before picking out a particular one.
“It’s true. Look, there are some that have insect holes!”
The aunt’s eyes widened at my words.
“The fact that insects gather is proof that it’s fresh and delicious!”
“Ah, yes.”
People around me seem to be interested in hearing my words.
“You know, we’re a little short on money, but could you… sell it to us regardless?”
Using a part of the allowance given by L’Arc-san, I showed an amount two-thirds that of what was written on the price tag.
“Right… that’s fine. I’ll give you a special discount.”
I made a small fist pump. We can buy food cheaply! If Naofumi-sama were here, he’d definitely praise me!
“…” Meanwhile, L’Arc-san and the others inexplicably tilted their heads.
How am I the only one bargaining here?
L’Arc-san, who looks like a veteran adventurer, should be able to do it too!
“If there is anything else that you need, L’Arc-san, I will perform the pose that Naofumi-sama passed down onto me, so please try subtly haggling for a lower price.”
“… L’Arc.” Glass-san is calling out to L’Arc-san. L’Arc-san seems to nod as if he understood Glass-san’s intentions.
“Seems like Kiddo is the one responsible for this. I’ll have to question him about this.”
—
Various things then happened, with the Vassal Katana coming into my possession, reuniting with Naofumi-sama, and somehow managing to return to the country where L’Arc-san and the others belong to.
It seems that they are going to hold a festival for Kizuna-san’s return.
We enjoyed the festival with Naofumi-sama and the others while looking for stalls.
There, L’Arc-san found Naofumi-sama and approached him.
“Kiddo, I completely forgot to talk to you about this earlier, but listen to me.”
“What?”
“Kiddo, just what kind of things are you teaching Lady Raphtalia!?”
“Hmm?”
L’Arc-san explained my great achievements to Naofumi-sama, from when we were working together.
What do you think? I did well without Naofumi-sama!
While I was thinking that, Naofumi-sama stared at me with his eyes half-closed.
“You’ve gotta teach the lady to be better than that.”
What was that? You’re wording it like I’m some sort of criminal.
As I stoked the burning indignation within me, Naofumi-sama responded in a way much different from what I expected and bowed his head for some reason.
“Looking at it objectively, you’re right. I didn’t notice it until now. I’ll make sure Raphtalia understands this.”
“Naofumi-sama? What’s wrong? You’re supposed to say, ‘I don’t care. It’s an important thing to learn as a merchant here, right?”
“Raphtalia, listen carefully. I made you do that, but it’s a bad thing. So from now on… You don’t have to do it.”
“Huh…?”
Naofumi-sama too?
As I tilted my head, Kizuna-san looked astonished, having heard that conversation.
“Well, it can’t be helped if you were to look at how Naofumi operates… I suppose?”
After that, I spent some time asking myself why Naofumi-sama had accepted L’Arc-san’s warning.
