028: Chapter 2 ~ Small Gift ③

“Hello, hello. Welcome.” Shopkeeper

The young female shopkeeper greets Charlotte with that response and a slight glance up from the book she was reading. She quickly returned to reading. Her store is a simple one made of cloth and wood. Necklaces and other items are spread out under the roof, that was full of holes. Many items are around one silver coin, it’s a typical cheap general store.

Charlotte quizzically browses the store with Allen.

“Mr. Allen, do you want some accessories?” Charlotte

“No, I saw something I was interested in.” Allen says as he picks up one of the products.

It’s an ordinary hair accessory, a blue stone carved in the shape of a flower. Each petal was carefully finished, a gem from a proficient designer. It had caught Allen’s eye from the coffee shop.

Allen puts the item on Charlotte’s head, then nods with satisfaction.

“Yeah, it’s the same color as your eyes.” Allen

“Ah” Charlotte responds as she softly touches the hair ornament.

Her round eyes and the flower hair ornament were almost the same color. It does look good on her, even with her black hair. When her hair color returns to her natural color, it would look even better.

“Hey, shopkeeper. Can you sell me that?” Allen

“Yes, one silver coin.” Shopkeeper

“Ah, here’s the money.” Allen

“Oh, uhh… Mr. Customer! This is a gold coin?! You’ve given me too much!” Shopkeeper

“Keep it, it’s a reward for having something I wanted.” Allen says as he winks at the shopkeeper.

Allen turns back to Charlotte, who is stunned again.

“That’s for you to keep. Well, compared to the clothes, it’s pretty trivial, or something like that.” Allen

Charlotte opens her mouth, she strokes the hair ornament.

“This is so nice… I’m glad.” Charlotte

“Oh, is that so?” Allen

Allen didn’t expect that sort of reaction. He was going to be elated if she was only pleased, but it seems that was exceeded. Allen’s heart starts to beat a strange rhythm, even though he hadn’t cursed himself this time. Because of that, Allen is stunned and the two stand wordlessly in front of the street vendor.

The shopkeeper whistles with a grin as she observes the two.

“Aha! That’s it-” Allen

“Augh” Charlotte

“Huh, Charlotte!” Allen

Suddenly, Charlotte was struck by someone. Allen hurriedly grabs her so she doesn’t fall. He notes that she was slightly heavier than the time he picked her up in the mansion, but he would prefer if she continued on to a healthy weight. But, Allen decides to shelve that thought for now as a more troublesome problem just cropped up.

“Oh? What the hell…” Adventurer 1

“Oh, what’s wrong?” Adventurer 2

Two young men stand in front of Allen and Charlotte. They appear to be adventurers returning from a dungeon, they’re wearing simple armor on their chest and limbs and have large swords hanging from their waists. They seem well-organized, but they give a crude impression from their behavior and speech. They’re crude, so to say.

The two people glare at Charlotte.

“Hii…” Charlotte utters as she takes a small breath.

In a blink of an eye, blood drain from her face. Allen takes the initiative and smiles back at the men.

“Well, I’m sorry for my companion. I’ll apologize for any disrespect.” Allen

While the adventurer wasn’t watching and bumped into Charlotte, Allen tries to deflect so they go away and Charlotte can cease being scared. If he had wanted to, he could have killed them three and a half times over, but he wants to not commit a crime here if possible.

(But… I had just said that fighting wasn’t good around here) Allen muses.

It the unlikely event that the men were aiming to knock down or frighten Charlotte, it’s sure that they would be knocked out forthwith. Allen just wants them shove off. Uncharacteristically, Allen attempts a non-violent solution to the altercation.

Translation

Good Job!

Do Better!

Chapter

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