WCMP 41

chapter 41

As our meal was winding down, Rielly suddenly spoke up.

“Is there a weapons shop in the estate?”

“Yes, there is. Do you need anything in particular?”

“It’s not for me, but for my younger sibling. I came out boasting that I’d buy a gift on the way back, so I can’t return empty-handed.”

“Would you like me to send a servant along?”

Rielly hesitated, lightly tapping the pudding in front of her with her spoon.

“No, I… I’m completely clueless about swords or weapons.”

“I see.”

“Yeah… so, um… would it be alright if Arban came along and helped me choose? After all, Amon is going to be your disciple anyway…”

Arban paused to think.

Since he had originally planned to return today, there was no urgent matter, and it wasn’t his mansion in the capital, so there were no pressing documents to handle.

“Very well. Let’s go together.”

When Arban agreed, Yullen perked up immediately, flapping his wings and interjecting.

“And me? I want to go too! I want to see how the empire has changed…”

“Of course you’ll come along. What if someone sees you while we’re gone?”

Rielly’s answer seemed to please him, and Yullen’s tail swished gently from side to side.

“Ah, but even if we go outside, you mustn’t stick out from the blanket. You understand, right?”

“…Understood.”

Yullen’s enthusiasm waned immediately at her firm tone, curling up on her lap.

Watching him, Rielly’s gaze fell on the table, and she muttered in surprise, her voice a little higher than usual.

“Goodness… did you eat all that? How could it possibly fit in your tiny body?”

“A dragon’s digestive system is different from other creatures. Food is converted entirely into mana, so if I wanted, I could eat endlessly.”

“….”

Rielly felt a pang of envy. Life was unfair, and right at this moment, it felt particularly so.

I carefully placed Yullen into the perforated picnic basket I had obtained through the help of a maid, giving strict instructions.

“Absolutely no sticking your head out, okay? Even in the carriage, you never know—if you want to come out, tap the basket twice to signal me. Got it?”

“Understood! I’m not unintelligent! My body’s just regressed, which makes my emotions fluctuate!”

“Good. Then I trust you’ll listen to me, Yullen?”

“Really!”

Pretending to stroke his small horned head, I subtly pressed down his little head and closed the basket lid.

Today was going to be very busy.

We had to buy a gift for our Amon and return to the Robert estate in time. Arriving in the middle of the night, like yesterday, would be inconvenient.

‘After keeping the ten-day period, it’d be a shame to go to bed without seeing Amon.’

But I couldn’t wake the little one who was peacefully sleeping.

To achieve the reunion I desired, we had to arrive on schedule.

Carrying the basket with Yullen, I went outside.

The maids offered to carry it for me, but I refused. Resolutely, I brought the picnic basket into the carriage myself.

No sooner had Arban and I boarded and the door slammed shut than I felt the basket gently shake with a soft thud.

Even from across the carriage, Arban noticed the slight movement and glanced toward the basket.

He tapped the carriage door, and as if on cue, the carriage began to move.

As the scenery outside blurred with speed, Arban spoke first.

“You may come out.”

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the basket lid flew open, and Yullen leapt out.

The small, striking silver dragon huffed a few times, then let out a resigned sigh.

“Being weak is my only crime… How did I end up like this?”

Seeing the tiny creature like that was oddly amusing.

But Yullen’s sulking didn’t last long.

He quickly hopped onto my shoulder and busied himself with the view outside.

I, too, watched the streets pass by from the carriage window, feeling a different perspective from riding a horse.

Before I realized it, the carriage had entered a busy market street.

I snapped back to reality and turned to Arban, our eyes meeting.

Caught off guard by his steady gaze, I blinked rapidly.

“…Do you have something to tell me?”

“Nothing. I was waiting until we were closer to the destination.”

“Ah, I see.”

“It’s time to go back inside.”

At his words, Yullen silently leapt off my shoulder and into the basket.

Whether he was sulking about having to go back or annoyed by Arban’s words, I wasn’t sure. He would probably be smiling again soon enough.

We exited the carriage and entered a weapons shop that looked rougher than the surrounding buildings. A man with a prominent beard greeted us energetically.

“Welcome!”

The shop looked exactly as I had imagined—rough and rustic, like something straight out of a medieval RPG, complete with a burly owner.

‘It’s refreshing to see something so rugged in person.’

I tried to lift various weapons, but my weak strength made even that difficult.

Longswords and rapiers, so easy to wield in games or novels, felt heavy in my hands. The gap between imagination and reality hit me hard.

I ended up just observing the surroundings and walked toward the counter.

While looking at a massive battle axe hanging above the counter, Arban called me.

“Elly, come here for a moment.”

“Oh, yes!”

I realized I had become too absorbed in my own little world, despite asking Arban to help me choose.

Approaching him quickly, I noticed he was holding two swords.

“Do you know roughly how tall your sibling is?”

“Um… probably about this tall. They’re smaller and thinner than average.”

I gestured roughly with my hand, and Arban nodded.

“Then this one should be suitable. Not too heavy for a beginner, with a reasonable blade.”

I looked at the sword in his hand and nodded approvingly.

It wasn’t flashy like a holy sword, but it didn’t look cheap either—just a perfect beginner’s weapon.

We quickly purchased it, and as we left, I glanced at the sword in the servant’s hand.

It wasn’t luxurious, but since Arban had chosen it, Amon would likely be pleased.

I smiled at the thought of Amon being happy even though I hadn’t done anything.

As we started walking back toward the carriage, I suddenly remembered something.

“Um…”

“Elly…”

“….”

“….”

As I spoke, Arban also called my name. We stared at each other silently.

Finally, unable to bear the awkwardness, I spoke first.

“You go ahead.”

Arban hesitated slightly, then spoke.

“…Let’s stop by a salon so you can pick out an outfit to wear.”

I blinked. After all that suspense, he was just suggesting we shop for clothes?

His cautious manner made me take him seriously, but I couldn’t help laughing.

In fact, I had been thinking the same thing myself.

Though I had permission to wear the dress I was currently in, it still belonged to his late mother, and I felt awkward.

Plus, it wouldn’t be appropriate to wear the dress home in front of the Duke.

“I agree. I was actually thinking of going shopping for clothes too.”

“Then we’ll stop by a nearby salon.”

“Yes, let’s.”

Escorted by Arban, I returned to the carriage.

Before the door could even close, the basket wiggled, so I drew the curtain and placed it in a corner.

Once the door was shut, I opened the basket to see Yullen peeking out and draping his head over the edge, looking completely deflated.

Feeling a little sorry for him, I spoke soothingly.

“Why, are you upset that you can’t roam around?”

“No… It’s not much different from before, so it got boring.”

He lost interest as quickly as he gained it.

Still, seeing Yullen calm brought me relief.

For the first time in days, the carriage was filled with an unfamiliar quiet.

The silence was eventually broken—unexpectedly—by Arban.

“Elly.”

“Yes? What is it?”

“If I offended you in any way, I apologize.”

“…?”

I had no idea what he was referring to.