Chapter 14: A Walk Around the Capital

Author: Kurohitsuji
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2086fk/13/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

I’ve been told in no uncertain terms to stay out of the forest, so I think I’ll go shopping in the city today.
What I want is a holster for the handguns. Hanging them at my hips they stand out like crazy.
I came all the way to the capital and I haven’t even gone sightseeing; this is a good chance.
But first.

“Ma’am, morniiing. What’s breakfast today?”
“Morning. Salad and sausage and consommé today.”
“Ooh! Bread too? Is there bread?”
“Of course. Eat plenty.”
“Yay! Itadakimaaas!”

Watched over by the smiling lady, I polish off breakfast and head out into the city in high spirits.

It’s still early morning, but the main street is already lively.
Just the people on this street might be as many as in my whole town.
Coaches and dragon-drawn wagons run down the middle; all sorts of races pass on the sides.

Humans, demihumans with animal features, short dwarves.
Long-eared elves, even.
There were all sorts of races at the Adventurer’s Guild too, but the main street has even more kinds.
Just looking at it makes my heart race.
You can feel it: the world is wide.

Exploration, start.
There are so many shops lined up.
Bakeries and restaurants, clothiers, stalls with ornaments, a sign for a weapons shop, and next to a sundries store a shop that specializes in metal armor.
I walk careful not to bump into people, looking every which way.

The fried bread at that shop looks good… oh, that cloak is cool.
But the length wouldn’t be enough… damn.
What’s this. What, what, ear covers for elves? Heh, those exist.
Ah, that plate is cute. But expensive… for nobles, maybe.

Wandering like that, I realize it’s past noon.
Ooh, not good. I forgot the actual errand.
Would a holster be a leatherworker?
Hmm… anyway, I’m hungry. Perfect; I’ll buy from a stall.

“Mister, three meat buns, please.”
“Coming up. Oh, you’re a cute one, miss. I’ll throw in an extra.”
“For real? Thanks!”

Lucky. Nothing but good things since I came to the capital.

I leave the main street and walk an alley, biting into a meat bun.
This is good. The juice wells out so much I almost burn myself.
What meat is it… I can tell there’s orc in it… not beef. Minotaur, maybe?
Hmm. This one I might not be able to reproduce.

“…Ah. Right, Ring. What shop do you think would have a holster for the handguns?”
“—Answer: leather or metal, I would think.”
“Hnn. Metal sounds heavy, so leather, maybe.”
“—If leather: there is a shop on the main street just now.”
“Eh, I missed it. Let’s go after I finish this.”
“—Understood… Ouka, glass breaking to the left. Caution.”

I look left as told, and there’s a dim alley.
Off an already untraveled side street. Trash scattered; almost nobody would pass through.

“…Ah. I promised Sister Naria I wouldn’t go into alleys.”

I strain my ears, and I hear glass breaking again.
And a child’s voice calling for help.
…Once you’ve heard it, it can’t be helped. I’ll go.

∞∞∞∞

“Hey, you lot. What are you doing.”

On scene. A rough trio of young men, and a cat demihuman girl sitting on the ground, covering her head.
Yay. Trouble after all. Glad’s going to be mad.

…Haa. Well, can’t be helped.
I’ll try to keep it as peaceable as I can.

“I don’t know the reason, but surrounding a kid with several people isn’t okay, is it?”
“Aa? Who the hell are you!?”
“Just a town girl.”
“…Oi. This one. Black hair, black eyes, a kid!”
“You… the one who smashed that ogre!?”

Who are you calling a kid. I’ll pull that out.

“Tch… none of your business. This one’s in the wrong.”
“Look the other way a little. It makes you lesser as men.”
“What is with you… shut up!”

A man reaches for me. Ahh. It came to this after all.
I may be a girl, but I’ve been in a brawl or two… I’ll try to keep it peaceable.

I grab the reaching hand fast. While he’s surprised, I bring that hand down.
I put out my right and force a handshake.
Then I pump it up and down, hard.

“There. A hand-shake.”

Squeeze, squeeze, and let go.
I don’t forget to intimidate with a smile, copying Liza.
If you’re going to keep this up, you get it, right? I won’t hold back.

“……O-oooh!?”

When I glare up at him, the rough young man goes bon, boiled bright red.

Eh, what is that reaction. I didn’t plan for that.
Shouldn’t that be yelling or running?
…I don’t get it, but whatever. I’ll run.

“Come on, we’re going.”

I take the hand of the cat beastkin girl, who was also staring blankly, and pull her up.
…Wait. Isn’t this kid taller than me?
…………For real. And I look older, that’s the follow-up punch.

“Ah, right. If you have something to say to me, come to the Adventurer’s Guild. I won’t run or hide.”

I wave loosely and leave.
A little way on I glance back.
…Good. They’re not following.
I’m amazing. I got through trouble without a brawl.
Glad shouldn’t have any complaints about this.

I go to the mouth of the alley and let go of the hand I was holding.

“You all right? Not hurt?”
“Ah, yes. Thank you very much.”
“There are people like that, so be careful, okay?”

And, right.

“Hey. While I’m asking, do you know where a leatherworker’s shop is?”
“Eh… um.”
“No, if you don’t know it’s fine. I was just asking.”
“That’s not— um… my father is a leatherworker.”

Ou. Unexpectedly, the daughter.
…Connections are amazing. Helping people is worth trying.

“Then would you show me to the shop?”
“Ah, yes! I’m Ellie.”
“Ouka. Nice to meet you.”

A handshake again. Ooo, her hand is squishy.
Paw pads, this. Nice.
…Hah. Not good. I squished them a lot.

“Sorry. Shall we go.”
“Um… yes.”

For now I let myself be led, following after Ellie.