Chapter 5: Sword of Legend
"Ooh..."
Louise: "What's with that dumb look? Are you a country boy who has never seen a city in his life or what?"
"Rude. I've been to cities many times."
Louise: "Then what is it?"
"I was just thinking that the cities here are just like the ones back home."
How the buildings line up and the bustling atmosphere; they're things you only get to experience in a big city.
Louise took a trip out here for the occasion—Day of Void, is it? Why is it named that I wouldn't know, but it seems to be the rest day of a week.
Makes sense we only come here on a day without school; the trip did took three hours by horse. The horse-riding Tamamo had me learn was finally put to use.
Horse-riding...makes my rear and back hurts. Louise looks completely fine though; just how much do nobles ride horse to get so used to it?
"This street is pretty wide."
Louise: "Bourdonné Street, the widest street in Tristain. At the very end is the royal palace of Tristain."
The street is neatly paved with white stone. Its width is about five meters, but looks cramped from so many people on it. On both sides are numerous stores and stalls; ranging from fruit stands, butcher's shops, bakeries, a guard house, and peddlers of exotic merchandises.
"Big cities sure are similar wherever they are." The only difference is that there are only humans here; something I haven't seen for a long time, ever since monsters began to migrate into towns and cities four years ago.
Louise: "Don't be so caught up by the sight and forget to keep your eyes on the money bag. If you really frequented the cities you should know how many thieves and pickpockets there are."
"I know."
There have been attempts at my pocket seven or eight times in the last few years. Since I'm well-known now, they probably thought I was loaded. I caught some myself, and others never got past Alice.
This time I'm really loaded; so loaded it's heavy.
"There's no way I wouldn't notice a bag this heavy gone; and I'll definitely catch up to anyone carrying this."
Louise: "With magic it can be done in a flash."
"Magic? Aren't magicians nobles? Why would they steal?"
Louise: "You have it the other way around. Nobles are all mages, but mages aren't all nobles. Being disinherited, having one's prestiges taken away, leaving it all behind themselves, children out of wedlock; though there aren't too many, mages like that are everywhere in Halkeginia. You should be careful, and don't wander into secluded alleyways."
"You don't have to tell me that."
Those kind of places are where unruly monsters usually lay in wait anyway; I'm automatically wary of such places.
Louise leads me on this cramped street; I really can't leave my hands off the bag like this. Pickpockets aside, bumping into someone and dropping the bag in the middle of this crowd would be a disaster.
Still, it's a strange feeling, walking through a big city without disguise and not being recognized. No one greets me, and I don't have to be careful of my images. It's been four years since last time I could do that. This is relaxing in a way; it would be even better if I'm not in some faraway place without a way to get back home.
Louise: "We're here."
Louise comes to a stop. Before us is a one-story building of considerable size. The fabric-like symbol on the sign indicates it's related to clothes. Doors and windows are framed with woods, elegantly carved and painted. Through the windows, clothes in vibrant colors and complex designs can be seen on display.
This already feels like an expensive place. If I'm alone there would be absolutely no reason to go in; but Louise strides in without hesitation, so I have to follow.
Louise occasionally glances at clothes on display, but doesn't stop her feet until she's at the counter.
A middle-aged man who stands upright and dresses neatly bows respectfully to welcome Louise from behind the counter.
Owner: "How can I be of service, milady?"
Louise: "I need some women's underwear." Louise says without missing a beat or showing any kind of awkwardness.
Owner: "Certainly. Marguerite."
The man behind counter calls out to a woman standing beside the clothes shelf.
Owner: "The young lady is in need of some undergarments. Please lead her to the section."
Staff: "Understood. If you would please follow me."
Louise doesn't even flinch at being treated so respectfully. If it's me I'd be all awkward.
I'm following Louise out of duty, but I don't know where to look; shelves on both sides are full of women's underwear. Guess I'll have to endure and wait until Louise finished.
Louise: "Luka."
"...Did you call me?"
Louise: "Does it look like there's anyone else here with that name."
That was sudden. Louise just called me by name out of nowhere, even though she had always used 'familiar' with me.
Well, it's a good thing, but why does the first time has to be here of all places? I'd like it if it's somewhere I can fully appreciate that.
Louise: "Which one is better?"
"Huh?"
Louise: "I asked: which one between these two do you think is better?"
Louise holds up two pieces of underwear. Both are made of thin clothes with lacy edges like the ones back in Louise's room. One is white and another is pink, with some subtle differences in designs.
I don't really get the difference, but from my experiences with Alice, it's better to say something.
"That one, I guess."
I points to the pink one, because Louise already has white. ...Actually Louise has both colors, but white stuck in my head more...since it's the one that got thrown at my face.
Louise: "Hm..."
Louise turns back to the shelves.
Louise: "Then I'll have this one, this one, and this one."
And she chooses three other pairs, putting the previous two back in their places. ...No comment on that.
Staff: "If you would like to try them on, we have a changing room."
Louise: "Alright, lead the way. You wait here; don't wander around, and don't touch anything. You'd just damage the merchandises."
"Who would dare." I don't want to be labeled a pervert.
Louise follows the staff, leaving me stranded in the middle of women's underwear and glances from other customers.
I'm absolutely not meeting anyone's eyes.
...
Louise is finally back. It was probably just a few minutes, but it sure felt like an hour.
Louise: "I decided on these ones. Go pay for them."
Louise brings the underwear to the counter herself, and gestures for me to do my part.
Owner: "That will be one ècu and fifty sous, sir."
It's probably because I'm with Louise that I'm being spoken to so politely, but it feels kind of ticklish.
Alright, let's pay up. It's not my money anyway...
"Uh, Louise..."
Louise: "What is it? Hurry up and pay them so we can go."
"Well, how much are these coins...?"
In the bag there are several types of coins: gold, silver, copper; each comes with varying sizes to boot. I have absolutely no idea how much each of them is.
Louise: "Really, you... Give that back. I'll do it myself."
Louise takes the bag from me, opens it, takes out one small gold coin and five large silver coins, and places them on the counter in no time.
Louise: "There. Was that so hard?" Louise glances at me like she would at a disappointing subordinate.
The man collects the money and bows.
Owner: "Thank you for your patronage. Please come again."
Louise leads me out of the store and have me carry the money bag again, with a clothes bag added.
Out on the bustling main street: to our right is the way we came, while left leads to a plaza with a fountain.
"So, where are we going next? Or are we going back now?"
Louise looks up at the sky. The sun is just behind the cloud over our head, making weather pretty hot.
Louise: "It's noon. Let's find something to eat first."
So it's noon already. Well, just riding here took three hours after all.
Louise starts walking toward the fountain, seemingly knowing the way.
"Now that I think about it, you seemed to know where that store is beforehand. Do you come here often?"
Louise: "This is the capital; when I was young I came here frequently with my family. After I entered the school this is the closest city, so I come here for anything I need."
"I see."
We arrives at the fountain, then Louise takes us on another, smaller street.
This one isn't as wide as the main street, but there also aren't as many people, and half of them dress like workers or housewives. They're probably people who live in this city, unlike the ones on the previous street which most looks like they came from outside; some even riding in carriages.
The earlier street was paved with white stones which retained its orderly look even under the dirt people and their horse's feet brought in. The stones on this one have similar shape but clearly look older; with chips and dents here and there, like that road that has always been there since we were kids.
Stores lining up on both sides also have different atmosphere, being the calmer one to the bustles of the main street. People here looks like they would greet each other and make a small talk every other day. If I had been born and grown up in a city I'd probably think of my home on this sight.
Actually, this place looks similar enough to Grangold. I wish I could be there instead.
Louise glances around as she walks, almost not looking ahead at all.
"Hey, look where you walk. You're going to bump into someone."
Louise: "No need. It's common courtesy for commoners to step aside for nobles anyway."
Even as she says that her eyes don't left the stores. It's going to take much more time before I really get used to the nobles of this place.
Guess I'll have to look out for her.
And there it is; just up ahead is a spot on the road where pieces of stones are broken, about a foot wide and half a palm deep. Not exactly dangerous, but would probably trip anyone who is caught unaware, like Louise who is looking anywhere but at the road right now.
If I keep quiet and let her trip a bit, would she be more careful...
"Neris, go a bit slower or you're going to trip."
Neris: "It's fine, Papa! I'm not—"
*thud*
Neris: "...Waaahhh!~~"
...No; better not.
"Louise, there's a crack on the ground. Don't trip."
Louise looks back down on the ground and steps over it safely, then she is back to glancing around again, without any signs that she appreciated or even acknowledged my help at all. In Louise's mind, what I did just now was probably what I'm supposed to do as a familiar anway.
...
Louise finally found a place she likes. The place doesn't look too expensive or too cheap; rather at around the middle point of all the places we passed by on this street. It looks clean, and is modestly decorated; bright with orange tone, but not glaring in the eyes.
Louise goes to the window side table. Like usual, I move the chair for her. She sits down, and stares at me.
Louise: "What are you standing around for? Sit."
"...I can?"
Louise: "More like how can you keep standing around like that? You'd be in the way."
Well, Louise said it herself, and there's another chair on the opposite side of the table. I'll...sit down slowly, while looking carefully for when Louise changes her mind.
She doesn't. Everything's good. Since when do I have to be this careful just to sit on a chair?
A staff comes to take our orders, looking a little stiff and being very polite, probably knowing Louise is a noble. But compared to that clothing stores it's still pretty ordinary. That place was probably used to nobles' customers, with how expensive looking those clothes were.
...It's a relief Louise didn't lash out at being treated normally. She just places an order.
Louise: "You're spacing out again. What are you going to eat; tell the waitress."
"Eh? I can? ...You're going to pay for me?"
Louise scowls a little.
Louise: "Why are you surprised? A master paying for her familiar's food is normal."
"Well...I thought you'd have me eat hard bread like what they give to the birds or something like that."
Her scowl runs even deeper as she turns aside.
Louise: "I just choose what is appropriate for my familiar."
"...Why are you changing your attitude all of a sudden?"
Louise: "Who changes what. That has always been my policy. Hurry up and get something, before I really change my mind."
"Ah, okay."
I should hurry. This is a chance to finally get something decent to eat without having to sneak around.
...Then I got stuck again.
"...I can't read this."
Louise places her hand on her forehead frustratedly.
Louise: "Just make that two."
Staff: "Jardin de la Reine for two; understood." The staff repeats and goes back to the kitchen.
That was a very unfamiliar name. But of course I wouldn't know the names of the food in a foreign land.
"What is that?"
Louise: "No idea."
"Eh? Then why did you get it?"
Louise: "Because it was the most expensive one on the menu."
Ah...I'm starting to understand the nobles here better, I think.
"Then shouldn't you have ordered something else for me? It didn't have to be the most expensive one."
Louise: "I don't know what others are either."
"Didn't you say you come here frequently?"
Louise: "I come to the city for errands, not to research commoners food."
Now that I think about it, the school prepares every meal, and even nobles back at my home usually don't cook for themselves. If nobles' kids would grow up to teenagers without ever knowing the names of their food, it wouldn't be too strange. What a waste of opportunity.
"Once I found a way back home I'll have my acquaintance take you to places with good food."
Louise: "I'll pass. Nobles don't travel all over the places just to satisfy their appetite."
But Demon Lord does, you know.
...
The food arrives. That wasn't too long.
Staff: "Here you are: Jardin de la Reine (Queen's Garden*) for two."
The staff goes back, leaving two dishes with various greeneries behind.
"Is this a salad?"
Louise: "Maybe."
Louise answers as she sticks a fork into a leaf of fresh lettuce and deliver it to her mouth nonchalantly.
"..."
Okay, I shouldn't judge before trying, starting from the cauliflower.
...
"...I don't really know what to say about this."
It's a salad. The sauce might have a bit of uniqueness to it, but nothing noteworthy.
Louise: "The taste is just too high class for a commoner."
"There are no class when it comes food."
The actual quote was 'Good food is equally enjoyable to all, whether they be Demon Lord or Villager A', said by a certain gourmet who also works as a Demon Lord, when asked about how she eats everything from extravagant dinner to a simple riceball with gusto.
Louise: "Then do you expect me to believe you that this tastes bad? How can that be. These two cost eighty sous you know."
"I never said it tastes bad." Admit it, you were thinking the same thing.
...
"Well, I'm finished. Are you done?"
Louise: "...You there."
Staff: "! Y—Yes?"
Louise: "I'll have a serving of this here, and some tea." Louise points at something in the menu.
Staff: "R—Right away, milady."
...
"So, you're still hungry."
Louise: "I'm half-full."
"Admit it; that was too little."
Louise: "..."
"Did you order some for me too?"
Louise: "No. Desserts are luxuries; they're unnecessary for a familiar."
Of course you'd say that.
But I'm not without an idea either.
"So you eats more than me, even though you're a girl. That's noteworthy in a way."
Louise: "...What else do you want? And don't pick an expensive one."
Gotcha.
"Then I'll have..."
[...]
Louise had some crêpes with tea as desserts. I had some bread with soup. We're both satisfied, so all is good. Louise even taught me how to count money, so I could finally pay for the food.
We're back on the street again. Louise leads us back the way we came.
"Are we going back to school?"
Louise: "Not yet. Since we come all the way to the city, let's go there as well." Louise raises her index finger without turning around to look at me.
"Go there?"
Louise: "Just follow me. You'll know when we get there."
We walk along the street, then Louise turns into another, smaller one.
Actually, this is more of an alleyway. It's much narrower, and also dirtier; just wide enough for three people to pass by each other, with trashes and filths lying around.
"Um, Louise, why is it so dirty here?"
Louise: "Because no one does the cleaning, since no nobles come here."
Does everything have to revolve around nobles in this country? The capital of Grangold has ant girls cleaning diligently, and other towns have also started to pay more attention to hygiene and sanitation since Erbetie started her campaign for clean water sources.
But this place, I have to carefully step over mysterious substances strewn across the ground, and Louise has to cover her nose all the way. Looking at all this, it really feels like I've come a long way from the home I know.
Louise stops at an intersection and looks around.
Louise: "Should be around here, close to Piedmont's potion shop...there."
Louise sets her sight on a bronze sign with a sword symbol, then approaches the door under it. She immediately enters the shop, without waiting for me to open the door for her. She must've wanted to get away from the smell as soon as possible; I do too.
It was very bright outside, but in the shop it's a little dark, since there's no window and the only source of light is a gas lamp.
...Are those weapons? They're put disorderly on the shelves and walls. There's also exactly one suit of armor decorating the place.
This seems to be a weapon shop.
A man in his fifties smoking a pipe observes us from behind the counter. Then he widens his eyes and pulls the pipe out of his mouth.
Owner: "My lady! My mistress! This is a fair and honest business! There's nothing here a person of high place needs to trouble herself with!"
People who say that are the most suspicious.
Louise: "I'm a customer." Louise crosses her arms.
Owner: "Oh, what a strange day it is; a noble who wants weapons! I am astonished!"
Louise: "And why is that?"
Owner: "Pardon me, my lady. Priests wave sacred relics, soldiers wave swords, nobles wave wands, and Her Majesty waves her hands from the balcony; such is the custom."
Louise: "It's not for me. It's for my familiar."
"Eh? For me?"
Owner: "Now that my lady had said it, recently nobles' familiars also began to wave swords as well."
The owner follows along smoothly. He must be used to this.
"You're going to buy a sword for me? Why?"
Last week she just said she doesn't have enough money to spoil a familiar.
Louise: "You are a familiar; protecting your master, that is me, is your duty. Since you insisted you know how to use a sword, it's better you have one."
That's reasonable. If I have a sword, at least to block attacks with, it would be much more reassuring.
Owner: "May I ask what type of sword is my lady looking for? This shop has quite a wide selection, whether they be common longswords, wide-bladed greatswords, shortswords, even rapiers which have been gaining popularity lately!"
"I don't know about swords; just pick one out."
Owner: "Then please wait but a moment."
The owner goes into the back of the shop. Guess I'll look around myself too.
...Wow, this one looks really powerful; the blade is thick and wide...it's too long and heavy for me though.
Hey, this one's shorter! It's kinda slim but...well, no, it's definitely gonna break if I hit it against something hard with my full strength.
This one! ...No, it's too unwieldy, and the other one too; the shape looks cool but I don't feel like it would be practical for me.
Damn. I've never thought my options would be this limited.
Back in the travelling days we passed by many weapon shops and there were a lot of cool ones, but they're all meaningless since I had to stick to Angel Halo anyway. I didn't give it much thought at the time, but with how small I was, and still am, most weapons would be hard to use anyway...
Ah. I completely forgot about it; I don't have Angel Halo with me anymore. Which means if I cut someone, that person could die.
That was close. If I realize that when it's too late things would be really bad. Habits can be very dangerous sometimes.
All these weapons suddenly look much more intimidating. I have to find a sword that fits my hands the best; the one easiest to control.
...
...No good. A few of them are almost a fit, but little problems here and there make me think twice; too old, or a few chips on the blade.
?: "Hah! This weak-ass little midget's gonna use a sword? You'd better go back home, drink some milk, and sleep to get the most out of your growth period, 'cause you'll need it badly!"
Huh? What was that? Someone says something?
But the owner is still in the back of the shop, and we're the only customers... Was I just hearing things?
But the voice was so clear. Louise looks over here, so she must've heard that too.
Louise: "What the heck were you babbling about?"
"That wasn't me..." Who would suddenly insult themselves for ten seconds straight out of nowhere.
?: "Where are you looking? I'm here!"
We turn toward the voice, which came from swords rack, but don't see anyone.
Louise: "Who was that? Stop hiding and show yourself!."
?: "I said I'm here. You have holes for eyes or something?"
The voice comes from the same place. I should take a closer look.
?: "Here, you dimwit!"
...Unless I hear it wrong, the voice is coming from a rusty old sword.
"You...can talk?" Not just moaning like the one I know.
Owner: "Derp! Don't be rude to a customer!"
The shout comes from the owner, who just came out from the back of the shop. He places a sword he brought out on the counter.
?: "A customer? This twerp with arms too stubby to draw a dagger is a customer? Don't make me laugh!"
That sword is still talking.
It has a very foul mouth.
Louise: "Is this...an Intelligent Sword?"
Louise says a name I don't know again.
Owner: "That's right, my lady. A sword that can think; a self-aware sword. I don't know which mage first created ones such as this, but this thing has a potty mouth and gets into fights with customers all the time...Hey, Derp! If you don't stop being rude to customers, I'll ask this noble to turn you into a lump of metal!"
?: "What are you waiting for then! I'm sick of this world anyway! Quit yapping and do it!"
Owner: "You said it yourself! Don't regret it later!"
Louise: "Silence!"
Louise raises her voice. The owner who's about to stomp toward the sword stops abruptly.
Louise: "Ignoring a customer to argue with a sword, how bold of you."
Owner: "My apologies. But this guy was being rude so..."
Louise: "Forget it. Now, where is this sword you're going to show us?"
Owner: "It's this one, my lady."
We go to the counter where the sword is placed. The blade is pretty slim. The entire length including the hilt is about one meter. The hilt is made of metal and is gold in color, and its handguard has some patterns carved into it. It looks neat and elegant, fits to be wielded by a hero.
The complete opposite of my personal sword.
Owner: "Now that I think about it, there's a rumor going around of a thief that targets nobles: Fouquet the Crumbling Dirt, as I recall. Because of that, nobles have been tight on security as of late. If you ask, I would recommend this sword. The size is just right for my lady's familiar. The materials are great, and the decoration should satisfy nobles' standard."
Louise takes a look at the sword and nods.
Louise: "Not bad. Luka, try holding it."
Well, guess I'll start from the two-hand grip I'm used to.
Raise up. Lower down. Try to get a feel of various factors through the hilt.
"...I don't think so."
Louise: "Why not?" Louise raise her eyebrows.
The feel isn't right. If I remember correctly, Granberia once told me, when we were talking about swords that one time...
Granberia: "Luka, you had only used Angel Halo. As your weapon, nothing can replace it, so you will probably keep using it from now on as well. But I think it would do you some good to know what to look for in a sword."
"The balance...This sword, its hilt is much heavier than the blade. It wouldn't have any force when hitting things."
Louise: "You're not making this up?" Louise narrows her eyes, still not trusting me.
"I told you; I fought with a sword before."
I place a sword on the counter and meet Louise's eyes for effect. Louise nods and turns to the owner.
Louise: "My familiar knows some things about swords. Get one according to him."
Owner: "Uh, understood."
"Then, can you get one with a little wider blade; a bit heavier is okay. Decorations aren't that important."
Louise: "Of course they are. A sword a familiar uses also reflects on its master."
"If I get a cool sword that's great, but how well it performs has to come first." Though I'd like it if I can get a really cool one. It's a man's dream to fight with cool weapon after all.
Louise seems dissatisfied, but still relents.
Louise: "Alright. Owner, bring a sword like he described. I'll grade it myself."
Owner: "I will be quick."
"Ah, and, if possible, please get one that's single-edged."
The owner goes back in to the storeroom.
?: "I'll be! The pipsqueak at least knows something."
That comes from the same sword.
"Just a little."
?: "And the lass said you're a familiar..."
"That's right."
The sword goes silent. I can't read its expression since it doesn't have one, but it seems to be thinking.
?: "Hey, twerp, buy me."
"Ehhh..."
?: "What the hell's that disgust? Normally this Derflinger-sama would be too good for some random squirt like you. You don't know how lucky you are."
This sword is REALLY rude. It's saying practically the same thing Louise said to me back on the first day we met.
But, I can't say I'm not at least a little interested. A talking sword; the first time I see one. I guess I can at least try holding it a bit.
This sword is rusty, but still very durable. Its weight is more than I'm used to. The balance is good; it's even single-edged. And the length...
"Guess not. You're too long."
Derflinger: "Brat, it's you who's too short."
"Keeping you on my waist is out of question. Carrying you on my back, your tip would still hit my leg. No, wait, I probably can't even draw you out."
I hold the the sword, rested in its sheath, against my back where it would normally be, and try drawing it with right hand.
My arms really are too short. There's a bit more before the tip would be completely out of the sheath.
"No can do." Back where you belongs.
Derflinger: "Wait a damn second!"
Owner: "Dear customer, here is the sword you requested!"
The owner comes out. The talking sword seems to still be shouting something, but I need to look at the new sword first.
The length is about equal to the previous one. The blade is a little wider. The hilt weight about the same, but the heavier blade balances it out. The hilt is made from animal's bone wrapped in leather. The handguard is narrow and void of decoration. Single-edged, as I want.
All in all, a decent looking ordinary sword.
Let's try out a few test swings.
...
The feel is like the first iron sword I used at the start of my journey, which was actually just four battles before I changed to Angel Halo. ...And the one with Alice. Damn. That's one bad memory.
"...Alright. This one works." Though I wish it's a bit cooler looking.
Louise looks disapprovingly at the sword I'm holding, but finally sighs in resignation.
Louise: "What an unsophisticated sword...How much is this one?"
Owner: "The market value for a normal shortsword at the moment is one hundered ècu coin; one hundred and fifty if new gold coins."
Louise: "A hundred ècu!? Are you kidding me?! Five of those can buy a well-bred horse!"
Owner: "I'm but a humble merchant, I don't joke about these matters."
This owner, I can't really tell if he's overcharging us. In the first place, I don't know the value of money here. According to someone smarter than me (there are so many I can't remember them all), different places have different resources, which puts different values on the same item. Some place, animal's meat could be as expensive as jewels; another place, a metal tool could be exchanged with a few cabbages.
Louise doesn't look like she's familiar with this either. In a time like this if Tamamo or Alice is here with me it would be so much easier. Even Nero might know about this more than I do at this point.
Owner: "My lady, a common greatsword that doesn't snap like a branch after hitting a few times would cost at least two hundred new gold coins. It's the market value; you can ask any other shop and they would say the same thing."
The owner seems so sincere, and even dares us to ask around. The decision is still with Louise though.
"..."
Louise crosses arms and frowns in thought; the crease between her eyebrows just seems to only deepen as time goes by.
Louise: "Hmm...Hmmm~Mmmmmmm~~! ...Alright, I'll take it."
"Louise..."
To be honest, I was half in doubt Louise would actually spend her money on my things.
Louise: "Just so you know, this isn't a gift! I'm paying so much money; if you can't protect me, you're so going to get it."
"Don't worry! Whether it be a slime, a vampire, or a dragon, I'll protect you!"
Louise, who was stingy even about a mattress, willingly spends her own money for my sword; I want to give her an equally worthy reassurance.
Louise: "Hmph, that's a good mindset if nothing else."
Louise doesn't send me a disbelieving look. It seems she's at least somewhat satisfied with my promise.
Louise: "Owner, I'll take this."
Owner: "With pleasure, my lady."
Louise glances at me. I guess that means I have to do the paying.
He said the sword costs a hundred ècu. A large gold coin is ten ècu: so, ten of these."
"...Louise. Isn't this almost half the bag?"
I don't know the values in details, but if our systems are similar, gold must worth more than silver, and bigger must mean higher value; so these ten large gold coins should be almost half of the bag.
Louise: "Seems so."
"Are you sure about this?"
Louise: "Stop asking questions. I'm really going to change my mind if you keep it up."
I might need to rethink my opinion on Louise. I had always kind of thought she was stingy.
The owner counts the money and takes it. Then he sheaths the sword and hands it to me.
The sword fits well in the sheath. It doesn't look spectacular, but it's well-made; as far as an amateur's eyes can tell anyway.
Derflinger: "Hey! Stop right there!"
The voice from a sword rack we've been trying to ignore all this time increases its volume.
Derflinger: "What the hell kind of user are you, ditching this Derflinger-sama for that junk! Is your head only good for weighing your neck!?"
Louise makes a disgusted face.
Louise: "What is wrong with this shop? A sword talking rudely to a customer; I wouldn't get it even for free."
Derflinger: "What was that, girl!? Who do you think has to suffer while you lot nonchalantly cast spells?!"
Louise: "I don't know what gibberish are you on about. Let's go, Luka; this place is grating on my ears."
Agree wholeheartedly.
Derflinger: "Dammit, boy! Don't you know who you are?! A midget like you dares to buy a sword; that means you must've tasted that power, haven't ya!? Once you grip a sword your body is light as feather, and suddenly your weak-ass self knows how to use a sword!"
"I don't know what you're talking about. I got my skills from training by myself and with others, not just suddenly able to use it."
That sword is saying something really weird. But saying I got to where I am now without practice really irks me. It doesn't know how many times I had stared death in the face until now.
Derflinger: "Then after you became a familiar! Don't you get that strange feeling when fighting at all!?"
"Not particularly."
Nothing seemed off in my duel with Guiche.
Louise: "Why do you keep talking with that sword? Let's go!"
"Ah, I'm coming."
Derflinger: "Dammit, stop your damn legs right there, you leg-walkers!"
Louise opens the door as she turns around to speak with the owner.
Louise: "Owner, I recommend you keep that vulgar sword away from sight, unless you want to lose customers."
Owner: "Hmm...That Derp has never pestered someone into buying it before, but I will take that to heart, my lady. Hey, Derpy Derp! You come here!"
We are out of the shop; the shouting fades as the door closes.
I try unsheathing the sword. My sword, that Louise had just bought for me.
Louise: "Well, how do you like it?"
"Pretty good. The weight and the length is just right for me."
Louise: "Of course; your master spent her valuable money for it, after all."
"Ah, by the way...How much money was in this bag?"
Louise: "I brought three hundred ècus; now there's one hundred ninety seven left."
So it wasn't half the bag, but one-third is still a lot. She spent more on my sword than her own belongings...I can't believe this is actually happening. Louise might be nicer than I first thought.
Louise: "D—Don't misunderstand! Just because this is all I brought doesn't mean this is all I have! There's still more kept in my room! I don't know how good you are at keeping my money; of course I wouldn't let you hold all of it just yet!"
Well, that's reasonable. For a moment there I felt guilty for using up a lot of Louise' money.
"Still, thanks a lot, Louise."
Louise: "Th—Then remember it well, and pour your heart in to serving me! Don't forget you're my familiar!"
"Okay, I guess." Not that I'm totally on board with this familiar thing.
Still, what I suspect last night seems to be true. Louise might seemed to be condescending all the time, but, well, she probably really felt what she said most of the time. But some other times it wasn't like that, and she was just not used to speaking her mind.
A bit like Alice a few years back.
Louise: "Time to go back! We're done here!"
"Slow down and watch where you go. You don't want to step on those things."
Louise hurries onward. I should follow her before I lost her.
...What is that shadow on the ground? ...A dragon? Is that a dragon flying in the sky?
That's pretty big. There's no scream or anything from the city either, so maybe it's not an uncommon occurrence. Why is it here, though?
Louise: "What are you dallying around for; hurry up before it gets dark!"
"I'm coming!"
{...}
{...}{...}
"So that girl bought the sword the boy wanted for him?"
"That she did, my lady."
A red-haired Germanian girl listened to the owner's reply with a surprised expression, before mumbling to herself.
"That Louise, she changed this much just overnight. Was it because of what I said last night...or was it because of Luka...?"
A petite girl standing behind the Germanian girl kept staring down through the glasses on her nose at the book in her left hand, not paying the world any attention.
"Haa~ So I'm on a fool's errand this time. Let's go back Tabitha."
The glasses-wearing girl turned toward the door and followed after the red-haird girl, still looking at the book.
"Uh, my ladies, would you be interested in a sword or two? The miss with red hair looks like she could be quite adept at one with some training."
"I'll pass. There's no sword in the world as good at dealing with pests as my Fire."
The two girls exited the shop. The bespectacled girl shut her book temporarily to raise her left thumb to her mouth and blew a high-pitch sound.
A shadow appeared on the ground, slowly getting bigger.
The bespectacled girl's right hand waved her staff, which was longer than she was tall, and the two girls quickly shot upward from the ground, before lowering on the back of a blue dragon waiting in the air.
"We're going back."
"Yeah, let's go back. Thanks for today, Tabitha; you spent your precious Day of Void for me."
"It's all right." The bespectacled girl replied flatly.
"Next time I'll help you out in return. Let's see, maybe...teaching you some make-up technique?"
The red-haired girl reached out her hands toward the blue strands of hair, but stopped when the bespectacled girl glared back over her shoulder.
"I'm fine."
The answer was low-pitch, like a threat. The red-haired girl raised both her hands in surrender and retreated back.
"I got it, I got it. Geez, you still hate being touched as ever, don't you."
The girl wearing glasses pretended not to hear that and bent down to speak with the blue dragon.
"Back to school."
"*kyu!*"
The blue dragon replied, before flying high up.
The bespectacled girl opened her book back up again, but her mind had not yet completely come back to the letters on the pages.
It was true she came all the way out here to comply with her friend's request, but she herself was not entirely without interest either.
Jardin de la Reine = (Fr.)Queen's Garden (Shameless literal translation)
Luka's height estimated by The Author: 150 to 160 centimeters, considerably smaller than Saito(170 centimeters). In the original LN, it was stated Saito couldn't carry Derflinger on his waist because of its length and has to put it on his back instead. Luka would have even more trouble.
By the way, Louise is about 152 centimeters.
It completely slipped The Author's mind that it wasn't made clear what happened to Luka's contract with the Four Spirits after the end in the main game. The Author had assumed an answer on his own, which will be stated in a couple chapters.
Saito: "Deeeeeerrrrrffff~~!"
PBW: "That guy isn't dead. And get out; this isn't your place."
Ilias: "Do allow me to help."
Ilias use Thunder of Judgment
Saito take 3430 damage
Saito is reduced to ashes...
PBW: "You...just killed Saito..."
Ilias: "And why might that be a problem?"
PBW: "...Right, I'll pretend that didn't happen since he didn't really die or anything. Look, you angels' values are just too different from human's. You lots are fine even if your body's grounded into powder. Just about any physical sadism is just a simple play to you, since you can recreate them with memories intact anytime. But humans die to those, you know?"
Ilias: "I am aware. And what of it?"
PBW: "...Okay, this is getting awkward. Let's stop here."
...
PBW: "By the way, The Author is aware the implication of a woman asking a man's opinion on which underwear to get. Luka and Louise, on the other hand..."