In fact, the capital was a familiar place to Lia, to the extent that she could navigate even the deserted alleyways blindfolded.
But Jack, who was usually taciturn, unexpectedly began to explain various things, and Lia was grateful for his explanations. She nodded enthusiastically, listening attentively.
Then it happened.
“Huh?”
“What’s wrong?”
“Ah… It’s nothing. I thought I recognized someone.”
Lia lowered her head with a subdued expression.
Jack looked at her strangely. It was surprising for Lia, who had lived in an orphanage all her life, to mistake someone in the capital for someone she knew.
But Lia, who seemed to be deep in thought with a bitter smile, appeared unfamiliar yet… beautiful, so Jack couldn’t take his eyes off her.
Lia, who didn’t notice Jack’s gaze, sighed inwardly.
In fact, she had been thinking about Master and the executives since a few days ago, unable to help it.
Perhaps wondering if they might run into them by chance.
She mistook a person with black hair who passed by a moment ago for Master.
“He… Master!”
“What?”
“We’re here. Let’s get off.”
Lost in thought, Lia and Jack had arrived at the Central Square, which could be considered the heart of the capital, in no time.
Lia, holding Jack’s hand and getting off the carriage, looked around with wide eyes.
As Lia examined every detail, noticing similarities and differences, Jack, thinking that Lia was marveling at the sights, cleared his throat.
“Ahem! Let’s decide what to eat first. Are you hungry? There should be a restaurant around here…”
Despite trying to guide Lia as smoothly and confidently as possible, Jack’s head was spinning. He was so distracted that he couldn’t tell if they were going in the right direction or if his arms and legs were moving in sync.
Finally, they stopped in front of a restaurant.
“…Here? Is this really the recommended restaurant?”
“Yeah. Why?”
When Jack nodded, Lia asked with a puzzled expression.
“Jack, have you eaten here before by any chance?”
“…No. Actually, I heard about it from other knights.”
“I heard about it from other maids too!”
Suddenly taken aback, Lia leaned in close to Jack and whispered anxiously.
“The restaurant next door is much better. It’s cheaper, and the service is better. Of course, the food is the highlight. Especially the seafood dishes. Um, I mean, that’s what they say.”
Changing the subject hastily, Lia still worriedly looked at Jack, fearing he wouldn’t change his mind.
Even if Jack hadn’t chosen a restaurant known for its bad reputation, Lia wouldn’t have pretended to know it.
Luckily, Jack blinked and looked at the sign of the restaurant Lia pointed out.
Then, he nodded immediately after seeing the sign of the store he had originally intended to go to.
“Yeah, let’s go there.”
The ensuing meal was incredibly satisfying.
Lia’s satisfaction at finding a familiar restaurant after a long time went without saying, and even Jack, who wasn’t picky about food, was pleasantly surprised.
But what surprised Jack even more was Lia’s sudden transformation.
Lia, who had rarely been outside the Duke’s estate except for the Academy Festival, began to lead Jack around the capital as if she were very familiar with it.
<If you want to go to the bookstore, it seems like that way wouldn’t be the right direction.>
<If you want snacks, it’s here.>
<There are a lot of sights over there!>
<A sword? If it’s a sword, I know a really good weapons shop!>
For a while, Jack, who had been following Lia absent-mindedly, suddenly snapped out of it and asked.
“Lia, how do you know so much? Did you hear about this from the maids too?”
“Yeah? Um, yeah.”
“…About the weapons shop?”
“Because sometimes we give gifts to the knights…”
“You…”
Seeing Lia awkwardly trailing off, Jack raised an eyebrow.
“You were really looking forward to today, huh? Well, I did expect something when you came looking for me to go out together.”
“Yeah, that’s right. I was really looking forward to it.”
“But why aren’t we going to the jewelry store today? You bought a lot of jewelry during the festival.”
Even though he had received money, Lia seemed to have no intention of buying accessories today.
As expected, Lia shrugged her shoulders and said.
“I bought a lot last time. But when I actually tried to wear them, there weren’t many occasions. I’ll just buy them next time. But this way.”
She pointed to a high-end weapon shop where only nobles and senior knights visited.
Artisans don’t blame their tools, but Lia thought that a good weapon was still a good thing.
If the sword itself is excellent, the power and sharpness are different, and naturally, the consumption of stamina and mana is much less.
“If you say you’re a squire from the Lexion Knights, they’ll probably treat you well, but still, inspect them carefully. And ask them to refine it to fit your hands again.”
Although he had said he wanted to look at swords, Jack didn’t expect Lia to take him straight to a weapon shop. He looked bewildered at Lia’s torrent of advice.
“I didn’t plan to buy one today. Even the standard-issue swords are not bad.”
“Standard-issue? Jack, you’re not a commoner but a squire. You can’t go without a sword that fits your hand properly if you aim to become a full-fledged knight.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. By the way, today, let’s just put down a deposit and come back with the assistant director next time to make the purchase.”
“What? That’s a bit… I brought enough money today.”
“It’s not about the money…”
Lia sighed lightly.
“We should give the assistant director a chance to feel like a father. If you ask him to buy a sword that you’ll use in the future, he’ll probably like it.”
“But…”
“Jack, being mature is an advantage, but you’re only eleven years old. The assistant director is like family now. Think it’s okay to act a little more childish.”
“Act childish…”
Jack was taken aback by the unexpected words.
Then he wondered if Lia saw him as childish like Allen, and his heart sank.
“What’s so funny about me acting childish when you’re only nine?”
“What? Haha. Are you comparing yourself to me?”
Even with Jack’s disapproving tone, Lia laughed, shaking her shoulders.
“Then take your time choosing.”
“What about you?”
“I’m going to buy some cake.”
“Let’s go together.”
“No, it’s fine. I’m going to pack it anyway. Oh, the cake I’m going to buy is a popular item, so it might take some time.”
Without giving Jack a chance to hold her back, Lia waved her hand and quickly disappeared.
Jack watched Lia’s retreating figure with a mixture of embarrassment and disappointment.
* * *
‘Have I been pretending to know too much?’
After wandering around the capital for a long time, I found myself inadvertently feeling excited. Despite feeling a bit of regret, I thought it was an enjoyable time, and I left the alley where the weapons shop was located. Then, I immediately flipped over the robe I had brought with me.
The ash-colored robe covered my face, but being a small child, it somehow seemed more suspicious, and I felt like it would attract more attention.
‘Ugh, I should have learned some kind of magic to change my appearance somehow.’
Among the guild members of Terentium who knew how to use magic, the most favored spell was the appearance alteration magic. It allowed them to gather information while simultaneously concealing their identity.
However, unlike other spells, I couldn’t perform the appearance alteration magic at all.
Not only was I not taught by my master, but I also found it difficult to learn even by studying on my own.
Even guild members with lower skills than mine could easily change their appearance, from hair color to facial features, and even adjusting their age.
‘At least I could have disguised myself… No, forget it.’
Some guild members with no talent in magic resorted to crude disguises, but I couldn’t even do that.
To be precise, I hadn’t learned it. Disguise was Jade’s specialty.
I knew very well that he despised and ignored me, but I didn’t want to bow my head and ask him to teach me.
I didn’t regret that decision at all.
“Tch.”
I flicked my finger while looking at my reflection in the window of the adjacent shop, but there was no change in my appearance.
I thought that now, with much more mana than before, I might be able to do it, but apparently not.
I clicked my tongue, pressed the robe tightly again, and turned on my heels.
It was time to head to the true destination of today’s outing.
* * *
Ding-dong.
As I opened the door, a clear chime rang out.
The place I had come to was “Le Réje,” a dessert specialty shop that had recently opened in the capital.
“It’s also the hideout of the information guild ‘Darel.'”
I couldn’t be sure if this was the headquarters, but every time I received a message from them, urging me to come to “Le Réje” whenever they wanted to scout me.
The level of information handled by the information guild was directly related to the level of its agents.
Therefore, there was a high probability that senior members who were assigned missions to contact agents from other guilds would be present here.
“Welcome. What can I get for you today?”
In a place filled with ladies in glamorous dresses and noble young ladies, seeing a child in a robe would be quite suspicious.
Despite that, the shop attendant skillfully greeted me.
As I casually browsed the cakes, I said,
“I don’t see what I’m looking for on the display shelf. I think I’ll have to place a special order.”
“Special orders are not something we usually… Mint chocolate cake.”
I met her gaze directly.
“I want to order that.”
—————————————————————
Translator Note:
This chapter was translated by Bree.
If you like my work please support us in Patreon. Next post will be released on April, 27. After a little vacation 😉
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