Well I say that my work has been cut out for itself, you guys have been growing quite well. As far as I can tell, Fanfiction has yet to recognize Bofuri as a proper Anime so I'm still waiting on that.
Leave a review as I love reading them both negative and positive.
It was a little past noon with the streets full of people as they passed by the stores of Castle Town. Since the yearly harvest had occurred just recently a vast amount of the stalls were filled with surplus farmers hoping to sell for other needed items. Many were men and women from outside of town; representing the villages they came from and bringing money for their own homes.
Within a few days some would go back with a fortune large enough to buy out entire farms, but they had made a gamble earlier in the year instead. Most of their goods would normally have been bought on credit, to which they would pay back at the end of harvest. With that money and their reserves, the few would be able to hunker down for winter and wait for spring to come.
However there was a small chunk of people missing from here. The Waves have made their mark in killing a large amount of people in the County of Sea Rock. While the ripples are not felt here in Castle Town very much, the people of the Duchy are surely to suffer a brutal winter.
Winter, however, is only a few months away. It would be up to the rulership to figure out ways of keeping the granaries filled for those villages. There are only a few dangerous options they could do like go into debt, assemble a series of cold crops, or even request the aid of Heroes from the Queen's Court.
Whether they respond, well the Church of the Three Weapons recommends that you give them a donation to make things move easier.
Our vision zooms in on a pair of people making their way down the streets. They had been walking for quite some time, shopping around at the various stores to see what any of them could provide. The taller of the two would make a motion towards an item but, with a shake of a head and a small reply the smaller one would force the group to continue down the street.
Eventually, the ringing of a soft, brass bell announced the arrival of the two into a store they both agreed to enter: the blacksmith shop.
"Welcome to Erhard's Armor and Swords, I have every weapon for your every need!" He proclaimed as he looked upon the incoming fellows. Said look caused him to take a pause, his eyes widening in disbelief.
He did not even need a second look to realize that a royal had walked into his shop. Myne Sophia, otherwise known as First Princess Malty S. Melromarc. It was an open secret when it came to her secret identity since the girl openly flaunted her authority in almost every city she entered. He hadn't been in the guild halls in a while, but even he's heard the rumors of 'Myne' purposefully getting her party killed so she could collect their property under crown authority.
Next to her was a little girl who looked no older than fifteen years of age. She had a smile that (to him) was as wide as the sky was broad. He felt a small tug in his cold heart as the two walked up to the counter.
"Hello there, I'm Maple!" The little girl called out with a wave, "We are looking for some armor and a weapon to help my friend here."
"Is that so..." His ire turned towards the questionable Noble, "Am I to guess she is your companion?"
"Nn!" She cheered while running over towards the swords, "Okay Myne, this one looks practical. It looks like it's going to be in our budget!"
"Whoa there girl," the Blacksmith cried out while raising his hands, "Shouldn't you buy yourself some armor first? Looks like you are wearing something that is way too big for your frame."
"Excuse me sir," The Princess turned to the smith with a smile, "But I do need a new weapon. If I am to be traveling with the Shield Hero I will need the best armaments money can buy."
"Shield Hero..?" Erhard, the smith himself, mouthed those words as he eyed the little girl. His [Eyes of Appraisal] quickly latched onto the Shield on her arm. A sudden headache behind his eyes forced him to stop his appraisal magic, but he now knew what he was dealing with.
"So you are with the Shield Hero." He answered with a shaking of his head, "Still, the Hero needs some better fitting armor, so she needs to go first."
"You are sure about that?" She asked with a crooked smile forming on her face, "Depending on what you do here, bad things can surely happen."
"While I am sure her majesty's wallets are bottomless, they are not mindless." And with that the smith turned towards Maple who was admiring some of the armor on the other side of the shop , "Say, Maple wasn't it? Let's get you some armor that fits."
"Me? But you need to get Myne her weapon..." The girl called out; making her way towards the counter.
"How about this, I'll give you a discount on the weapons if you let me fashion you up some armor." The kind smith called with a laugh, "Now come on over and lets look at the sets."
Maple hesitated for a moment, but seeing the man's smile convinced her to almost skip over to where he was standing. Seemed he was doing this for her own good, and a discount would not be go admissed.
"So, what's your budget looks like young lady?" He asked once she arrived at the counter.
"Her budget will be 300 for her armor and 500 for the weapons." Myne said directly with a face that seemed to almost snarl.
"No, a weapon won't be necessary for me." Maple said, "I, uh, can't wield any it seems."
"Really, well that's a shame." The middle aged man claimed while scratching the back of his head, "Then that means we are looking at something more like 600 for your personal armor and 200 for weapons?"
"But that means we won't have enough money for food." The girl called out with a pout, "How much money does it take for me to live here?"
"Huh, I guess you wouldn't know." Erhard said. He was now realizing how little that the heroes know about their world, "About 25 Silver can get a person through the week, which is about 250 copper. A gold can get someone a month, which is roughly about 100 silver."
Maple nodded in reply, trying her best to figure out how much she needed to keep to stay in town. Honestly she was not the best with money, that being her friend Sally's department. However, she had a rough idea, except for one thing, "Uh, when are the Waves going to occur? I thought I was going to be paid after they happened."
"Really, you don't know?" Erhard couldn't help but feel a small ping of concern, "I couldn't say since I'm not an Adventurer anymore. I'd say maybe a month."
"Then we neeeeed…." She moved the numbers around in her head while carrying the zero, "about two hundred Silver. So can we make the budget 400 for the armor and 200 for the weapon?"
"Make that 500 for the armor and 100 for the weapon and I think you will be fine."
"Really, so much?" The Hero gave a small pout, "I don't really want to leave my friend without anything."
Erhard took one look between her and Myne Sophia. He had to give Maple credit where it was due, she had a Heart of Gold that would surely melt the thickest of icy hearts. Why, he was being forced to barter so that she didn't spend too much!
His eyes shifted to the rumored Princess, the girl not noticing had a dark expression on her face. He was probably doing the wrong thing for his business by ignoring the royal. She will try her best to destroy his smithy to the point where he would be thrown into jail and probably be executed for some dumb reason like fraud.
But Erhard knew out of everything that these heroes were the world's last chance. He couldn't go out and fight the waves nor could the King of the Cane.
Erhard will make sure that this Hero will start on the right foot for her first Adventure. If worst comes to worse, he will flee to Shieldfreeden or go to some remote village in the middle of nowhere and set up shop there.
"I will halve the price of the sword, meaning you'll be getting a 200 Silver Coin sword for only 100. Final offer."
"Well, I guess that sounds good. Deal!" Maple cheered with a gigantic smile, "Well, do you need my measurements?"
"Indeed," The smith produced a small cloth from his back shelf and threw it to Maple, "Head into the changing room and put on this tunic. Once you get that done, we will get your measurements and desired set."
"Thanks!" And with that she quickly made her way into the room.
With that the two spent the next few hours getting measurements and choosing the sets of armor. Erhard was quite surprised when she asked him to make her full plate armor instead of the standard half plate that he always made for people. When he asked if she was fine not being able to dodge the response was honestly frightening.
"Nope, I plan to take it head on!"
And with that he made sure to add on some chainmail on top of the original design. After a little bit more work and handing her over a sword for the Princess's use.
"Now your armor should be ready within a few days, since I need to make a set in your size." He claimed while putting down the ending enchantments he was going to add, "Just come by in a few days to see if I finish it."
"M'kay, see you then Mr. Erhard!"
And with that she left the shop along with the Princess. Though as they left Erhard saw Myne's eyes laying upon Maple. They held the same amount as malicious as a cheated wife looking upon her husband's newest flame, though he had a feeling the look was not so righteous.
If something bad happens he's basically chosen his side already.
And with that Erhard went back to work, his heart beating the repetitive strikes into the medal needed to forge her armor. Hell, he might be putting too much into this to justify the 500 Silver price he gave the girl.
Yeah, definitely.
The day's sun had already reached its highest peak and was now slowly running towards the horizon. If Malty had to guess it was about four or five in the evening. Too late to still be out for her liking.
She watched as the peasants slowly gathered their goods and started making their way out, hoping to reach their homes before nightfall. It puzzled her why try to go home every night? They still had to wake up early tomorrow and repeat the process. Why not just get a room at the inn for the night? They could stay open longer and make more money!
It simply pained her that she couldn't shop for longer.
"We have been shopping for quite a bit, Myne. Shouldn't we go grinding or something?" The Shield Hero called out to the Princess.
There was no more reason she could give to stay away from fighting in the forest, no matter how dreadful it was. Everything over there was so low level and they just insta-died to her fire. It would be useless for her to go level there, especially at this stage.
"Sure, I guess." Was all she could answer to keep the charade going.
As they walked towards the forest Malty could not help but loathe the little girl before her. She was an arrogant little thing who always took the attention away from Matly wherever they went today.
The Princess hated how the clerks they visited treated them. They were quite willing to give the shield hero free things, from vials of medicine to a large backpack!
And she had the gauls not to give her weapons first. Yes, the smith was swoon by her innocent charms but Malty knew better. She willingly left the Spear's group for the poor Shield and she in turn has been treated like crap! She is the next in line and she should be treated as such!
Or at least that's what her Father might think. No, there were a lot more-
"Watch out!" Malty felt herself slightly pushed out of the way as the Shield went between her and a balloon. She watched as the balloon bit into the shield itself, the thing trying its best to bite off the shield.
"Tsk, dreadful things." Matly said as she looked at the thing. Slowly she had raised her sword to counterattack, but something odd happened before she could.
"Itadakimasu!" cried the Shield Hero as she yanked the balloon off of her shield. Malty watched as Maple swifty (in such a motion that would have left legendary swordsman to shame) began to ripped into the balloon monster with her teeth. And then kept on eating until there was nothing left.
"W-what the hell did you do?"
"What do you mean?" Maple questioned.
"You ate it! That's-" She was about to finish those words but the Princess simply shook her head. Such words were not to be said, at least while she was with the Shield Hero. No, she would need to wait until she was able to get the girl nailed.
"What was that?" The little midget said as her face was now filled with Balloon.
"Nothing."
And with that they continued on through the forest. Honestly, the Princess did not need to do anything, since the little girl had the ability to consume the lower level mobs. She was able to at least raise her level by one by the time night was coming down upon them.
"Let's make head our way back, eh?" The Princess suggested as she sheathed the sword that was never used.
"Really? But we are just getting started!" The Shield mourned as she placed another balloon into her shield, "Though don't know where all the rabbits went."
"Who cares about some rabbits." Malty claimed with a flick of her skirt, "There are plenty more balloons to kill then those little guys."
"But I wanted to face another of the really big ones!" She said while making a motion of a giant round thing, "It was so tasty that I can still remember it!"
Malty was tempted to tell the Shield to eat normal person's food, but she was not going to. No, that would definitely break her current character and endanger her objective for the evening.
"I wonder if they woudl taste better if I put some spices on them." She watched as the girl started to drool slightly, "Alright, let's head to Castle Town!"
"Perfect" was the response the Princess gave. Her hand slowly rubbing on the small vial of berserker toxin that she had acquired the morning. It was going to be the perfect scheme, in all honesty.
They arrived at the inn they had already arranged to sleep in tonight, both of them sleeping in separate rooms. She convinced the little girl to have dinner with her, a simple meal that almost everyone would eat.
"Hmm, needs something more." The Shield complained as she ate the side of stake, "What kind of animal is this?"
"Oh, it would be from a cow." she answered the girl honestly. Such meats were precious, but something that any hero could not resist. Though as Matly watched the girl bite through the meal it was looking like no reaction was occurring.
Malty's hand rested on the poison in her pocket. It was given to her by the Three Heroes Church Pope. The man was an elusive fellow, surely crawling up the rank with just as much intrigue as she did. Unlike her, he was being used to further her position and obtaining the crown her dumb sister.
It was a plan Malty and the Pope put together this morning. She would serve as the Shield's friend until dinner that night. After which she would poison her meal with a berserker toxin and drive her to attack the nearby populace. The papal guard would be forced to kill her to reinforce the Church's views as well as killing the throne in their side.
In return, they would guarantee their support in getting her on the throne.
"Here, this is a special spice from Faubley." Malty said while sprinkling the powder onto the meal.
"Awesome!" and like that the girl quickly ate the largest chunk the princess had "spiced". Her eyes went wide, but this was not the primary reaction from consumption of the berserker powder, but instead the joyful eyes of someone enjoying it, "That tasted great! Do you have more!?"
She could only click her own tongue, "Unfortunately, I do not."
"Oh, that's too bad. Well, I will make the most of what you have given to me!" And like that she ate the entire plate like it was nothing.
Yeah, the princess is going to need a different angle to get rid of the Shield. It looks like she is going to have to risk throwing her weight. In the end, it will be worth it.
