Lydia’s reaction was a bit suspicious, but anyway, things were going smoothly.
We arrived back on the surface without any issues, and thanks to Lemon and Apple’s testimonies, the whole bandit situation was resolved nicely. Even Gale, who had his limbs messed up, was sold at a decent price, claiming there was some demand for him.
What demand and where he was sold to, I have no idea… but considering that the Guild is an adventurer support organization founded by a cult that serves the Goddess of Love, the answer was quick to come.
They’re probably planning to roll him in a suitable brothel.
Since it’s directly operated by the temple, the treatment for the “goods” is decent, but criminal slaves are the exception.
I guess he won’t roll too much to the point of dying? Still, after about 40 years when demand drops, they might even heal his limbs and make him work as a laborer. So, hang in there, Gale… I mean, Gale-Gale.
I shrugged and looked at Lemon and Apple leading the way. They wore tight clothing that accentuated their body lines.
Oh dear. Not only are their chests lacking, but so are their behinds…
As I clicked my tongue in pity, Lydia, who was sticking close to me, spoke up in a slightly grumpy voice.
“Jonah. This isn’t a good idea. What do you believe to be following them like this?”
“Well, I trust the Elf’s sincerity regarding money. The problem is their thoroughness; there’s no Elf who’s ever gotten in trouble for not keeping their word, right?”
“Usually, yes. But in this world, there are always exceptions. Just like how you were robbed of 8 copper just now. Normal Elves wouldn’t risk their reputation over such petty cash.”
“Hmm… Is that so?”
Since I swore on the World Tree, I don’t think they’d go that far… but maybe that’s just my bias from being the one who created the Elf’s setting.
Lydia, who had seen all sorts of unpleasant sights while living as an adventurer, probably thinks differently.
So, I have to give her some grounds she can understand here.
I grinned and leaned closer to Lydia. It was past mere shoulder touching; I was practically hooking my arm around her.
Then, looking up at Lydia, I grinned widely.
“It seems there’s been a misunderstanding; I don’t actually trust Lemon and Apple.”
“Then why…?”
“Whatever happens, just like last time, you’ll save me again, right, Lydia?”
“…….”
Lydia clamped her mouth shut. But her movements creaked like a rusty robot, and that was her answer.
Aw, she’s embarrassed.
On a normal day, she would have just brushed this off, but today Lydia was reacting positively. Feeling playful, I leaned my upper body onto her arm.
It wasn’t as blatant as how I acted with Ellie; I just pretended it was nothing major while making it casually noticeable that I was in contact.
Rising onto my tiptoes, I brought my lips close to Lydia’s ear. We weren’t touching, but I was close enough to feel her warmth.
In a slightly lower, almost sultry tone, I whispered softly.
“I always believe in you, my knight.”
“……!”
Lydia’s red eyes widened, and she froze in place.
She looked like a golem that had just been powered down. But before long, it seemed she was back online, starting to move again.
Her hair sparkled even in the dark, and her eyes sparkled like burning embers. The poise that naturally emanated from her was more pronounced, showcasing her unique charm.
Oh my. Did she just activate her aura? How excited is she right now…?
At this moment, Lydia was closer to a knight than an adventurer.
Swoosh—
Before I knew it, Lydia drew her sword and held it in front of her, executing a short salute.
“Today, I will be your sword, Jonah. I will protect you no matter what, so stay close to me.”
“Sure.”
Fueled with spirit, Lydia surrounded me like she was my bodyguard.
The expressions of Lemon and Apple in front turned sour, but honestly, what could those twins do other than grumble?
To keep up with Lydia’s rhythm, and honestly because I was feeling a bit excited, I shrugged my shoulders like a noble kid.
Just as I had that thought, Lemon and Apple, who had been grumbling, suddenly stopped walking.
“This is it.”
“This is where our organization is,” they said in unison.
“……?”
For a moment, I didn’t understand what they were saying and glanced around again.
Even at this late hour, the street was bright with lights. Numerous carriages and people passed by the well-paved road, and there wasn’t a beggar in sight even in the alleys, showcasing its cleanliness.
Yes. This is the commercial district of Pangrave… specifically the street filled with high-end shops.
Lemon and Apple stopped in front of a large building that stood out even among these streets.
“Cradle Association…? You don’t mean this is the organization you two are talking about? Then the boss couldn’t possibly be…”
The Cradle Association is famous even in this Labyrinth City. The dwarven blacksmith unions control the weapons, and the Mage Tower has a firm grip on magical devices, but all other goods belong to the Cradle Association.
It’s essentially one of the giant capitals that divide the commercial sector of the Labyrinth City. Witnessing what happens when the long-lived Elves decide to dive into business.
That’s the Cradle Association.
As long as you have money, you can get your hands on things not circulating in the market, and they also provide mercenary services, but only for security purposes; it’s all true….
I never imagined these thugs would have any connection to the Cradle Association. Just as I was about to let my jaw drop in astonishment.
“Oh, not that one. It’s this building,” Lemon corrected.
“The Cradle over there is full of bad folks. Don’t even look at it. Pthuh.”
Lemon pointed to a corner of my vision and Apple spat on the ground.
I couldn’t help but sigh at their ridiculously thuggish behavior while cursing the very establishment they were standing in front of.
“Haah… I got my hopes up and ended up being betrayed; I’ve lived my life forgetting this simple truth.”
“Oh. That’s kinda cool.”
“Is Lemon an idiot? Jonah has always been cool.”
Lemon’s ambiguous admiration, not even understanding the meaning, combined with Apple who saw the chance to suck up, was utterly blatant, yet amusing. I chuckled as I moved towards the direction Lemon pointed.
“Well, anyway, if they’ve set up in a place like this, they must have some talent…”
Just as I said that, I spotted a nearly collapsing old wooden building. It was small even; it could be called just slightly better than a hole-in-the-wall store.
Especially considering it was right next to the Cradle Association, which occupied almost an entire block; the comparison was striking.
“…Is that really it?”
“Yup. A place with traditions that can’t even compare to the Cradle Association.”
“And what’s this humble shop called, Eden? Have you heard of it?”
“No, I’ve never heard of it at all. What about you, Lydia?”
“I’ve never heard of it either.”
Lydia shook her head. If Lydia, who invests everything in herself, is saying that, it must really be a no-name establishment.
Could my disdain be showing through? The twin Elves started fumbling to explain further.
“They sell items you can’t find anywhere else!”
“And whatever it is, they’re confident in its performance!”
“…Yes, yes. I get it, this shop is amazing, so go get that promised money.”
“We’ll do that….”
“We’ll hurry back….”
With downcast expressions, Lemon and Apple trod off toward Eden.
Once they had completely disappeared, I tugged at Lydia’s sleeve.
“Lydia, is it really impossible to get 23 gold?”
“Yeah. Since they’re managing to keep a shop here, I think they have a basic income, but I still doubt they can suddenly come up with 46 gold.”
“Ugh. Then we’ll just take as much as they can handle and make them repay the rest in… other ways.”
“Unlicensed human trafficking and organ trading is illegal.”
“…Has my image been getting weird lately, Lydia?”
“Well, I’m not sure.”
“…….”
It’s so unfair. When I kill my enemies without hesitation, it’s merely a declaration of my will to survive as a nobody orphan in the Pan Continent.
But somehow, Lydia started treating me as some sort of psychopath.
How many times have I slapped her hand in irritation, feeling a sense of grievance?
As Eden’s old door creaked open, out walked Lemon and Apple, though they didn’t seem to be in good shape.
Their hair was a mess, and the previously decent faces now bore several blue bruises.
They looked like they’d definitely been beaten up. Well, I guess from the store owner’s perspective, it would have been tough to run the business, and maybe they took them in out of past kindness.
But getting nearly killed and accumulating debt on top of that… I’d be mad if I were them.
Like drenched little chicks, Lemon and Apple shuffled over, puffy-lipped.
“Sorry… The boss says it’s difficult to gather that much money all at once….”
“But even if it takes time, we will repay it, so let’s discuss how to do that.”
“I expected as much.”
I nodded casually and adjusted my clothes. Then I subtly reached out my hand towards Lydia.
“Escort, can I ask you to help?”
“Just for today.”
Lydia said that while tilting her lips. Since she had helped me all day, I should treat her to this level of service.
With that, we headed towards the store called Eden.
“Haha, I, Eve Nirvana, am here. Is it my first time meeting you… or should I say should I say that?”
In there stood a suspiciously squinty-eyed Elf, resting his chin, greeting us in a questionable manner.
…Surprisingly, he was the second character I had created.
What’s my sister doing here?
