The weapon merchant held out the hilt with his index and thumb, urging me to take it.
It looked so much like a child's toy that it was hard to believe it could easily turn into a sword.
I still looked at it with a doubtful gaze and asked.
"So, someone without magic power can't use it, right?"
"Knights who have trained for a long time are bound to be able to use a little magic. Otherwise, they wouldn't be able to use magic swords..."
"Ahem!"
I had shown my ignorance again.
I cleared my throat and hurriedly changed the subject.
"…I wonder if Eclis has any magic power."
"Don't worry, sir. I've been selling weapons in the capital for decades. I can assure you, that slave…"
He was about to say something when he saw my stern look and quickly changed his words.
"…I mean, the aura emanating from that bodyguard is quite formidable. I've run a merchant company for thirty years, but I've only seen a few people emit such a terrifying aura."
"Really?"
"Absolutely!"
I wanted to boast, 'He's going to become a Sword Master soon,' but I held back.
"Actually, this sword is so rare that it was bought at a very high price on the black market. However, it's too expensive, and knights usually look for flashy swords first..."
The weapon merchant sniffled, as if lamenting the fate of his 'poor baby.'
"This sword, although it doesn't have any special enchantments, is made from very rare materials. It's made from iron ore mined from the long-extinct dwarf mines. No one knows how they obtained it."
"Is it good?"
"Even now, there's no way to mine it. It's a dwarf secret."
'It's good, then.'
I nodded silently, not fully understanding.
"Moreover, when the sword shrinks, the scale of the magic engraved on it also shrinks, so even in places where weapons are not allowed, no one will notice that it's a magic sword."
"…For example, in the royal palace?"
The weapon merchant nodded and looked around to make sure no one was listening, then whispered.
"…It's perfect for assassination."
It was a bit exaggerated. Who would use a shrinking and growing sword for assassination when there are poisons and darts?
I thought this but didn't show it, as I really liked the sword.
'A sword that I can always carry, even if I can't show it to others.'
I had thought of a small dagger, but this seemed better.
After all, Eclis would use anything, whether it's a magic sword or a toy necklace, as a weapon the moment he picked it up.
"Then, I'll take this one."
"Thank you, sir! It's finally found such a suitable owner!"
The weapon merchant, with tears in his eyes, immediately asked.
"Shall I send it to your mansion as well?"
"No. Give it to me now."
A little later.
After roughly finishing the payment and about to leave the merchant, I stopped to look at something shiny that caught my eye.
"What's this?"
It was a rather ornate and elegant item, unlike anything the weapon merchant usually sold.
It was a small, round disc with intricate engravings and sparkling gems embedded in it.
I had never seen anything like it.
"Oh, that's a type of amulet."
"Amulet?"
"Yes. The hunting tournament is coming up soon. It's the most popular item among women these days, to give as a gift to lovers and family members who will participate in the hunt."
"…Really? What does it do?"
"It has a magic rune engraved on the disc, and a magic stone is embedded in it, so it automatically activates magic in an emergency."
"What kind of magic?"
"It varies depending on the spell. Most are defensive spells, but some can teleport you to a safe place."
"Oh, that's nice."
"These days, they come with detachable magic, so you can attach them anywhere on your body."
The merchant, noticing my interest, immediately offered.
"Would you like to see it?"
I nodded.
A little later, in my hand as I left the merchant, were Eclis's necklace and three ornate amulets in gold, silver, and bronze.
"Did you have a good time?"
The coachman, running up to take the shopping bag from my hand, spoke for the taciturn Eclis.
It contained the amulets. The gift for Eclis was hidden in my pocket.
"Where would you like to go now, miss?"
"There's a quiet lake to the west, I believe."
"Oh, you mean Kalia Lake. I'll take you there."
The carriage started silently.
I had thought about buying new dresses and accessories while I was out, but I was already tired from the rare outing.
I wanted to return to the mansion, but I still had gifts to give.
'Since I decided to give them, I should do it properly.'
I intended to resolve all the grievances and complaints Eclis had accumulated in his heart today.
"Miss, we've arrived."
The carriage stopped after a short while.
With Eclis's help, I got out of the carriage.
He stood a few steps away, fulfilling his duty as a bodyguard.
"Would you like to take a walk with me? It must be lonely to walk alone."
I turned to him and extended my hand gracefully.
Eclis hesitated for a moment, then lightly grasped the tip of my fingers. The touch was so light it was barely noticeable.
I clicked my tongue and firmly took his hand.
I could feel him flinch through my fingers.
Glancing sideways, I saw him bow his head deeply. Unfortunately, his affection level didn't change.
We walked in silence for a while, holding hands, along a well-maintained path.
We finally arrived at a viewing deck built over the lake.
It was a perfect date spot, but there weren't many people around, being a weekday afternoon.
I leaned on the railing and admired the lake for a while.
A gentle breeze carrying the scent of water blew from afar.
I turned to the statue-like figure standing beside me, who neither admired the scenery nor tried to start a conversation.
"Are you feeling better?"
His gray eyes, which had been staring into space, slowly turned toward me.
He looked puzzled.
"You had a bad morning, didn't you?"
Eclis didn't answer immediately.
Finally, at my prompting, he reluctantly replied.
"…It was nothing."
I asked cautiously, feeling guilty.
"How many times has something like this happened?"
"It's the first time."
"Eclis."
I called his name, almost like a sigh.
"Don't try to lie to me with such obvious lies. I told you to make everyone in the mansion acknowledge your stay."
"…"
"I'm not going to scold you for not being able to do it right away. It's beyond your control, so I'll step in."
"…"
"Is Renald leading the harassment against you?"
Eclis looked at me with a strange expression and remained silent.
I grew increasingly frustrated.
"Tell me. What has Renald done to you? I'll take care of it."
"How?"
Eclis, who had been silent, tilted his head.
"…What?"
"What can you do in the knight's order, my lord?"
I was momentarily speechless.
It sounded like he was mocking me, but his face was expressionless.
"Nothing will change as long as I'm a slave, my lord."
"…"
"If you care about me, just pretend you don't know. It's fine, really."
I was taken aback by the unexpected answer, but I understood the hidden meaning.
'Just stay close and don't stir things up and get me kicked out.'
Perhaps, unexpectedly, he had adapted to the atmosphere of the mansion faster than I thought.
And he must have grasped the position of a countess.
[Affection Level 33%]
I glanced up at the number above his head.
Just 33%. I had barely surpassed the basic affection level given at the start of Normal Mode.
Eclis was a tough opponent, even in the relatively easy Normal Mode.
I had thought it was because of his loyalty to Penelope...
Now I understand his true character.
'Maybe it was just a calculated move to ensure his own survival.'
Seeing the affection level rise above 30%, I felt a bit elated without realizing it.
After the morning's incident, I had been filled with hope.
I thought I could see the ending soon, and I had been so excited to take him to the weapon shop.
"…Right. You're right."
Not knowing how difficult reality could be.
I answered in a slightly deflated voice.
"You must understand now. My position in the mansion."
While I was reconsidering my all-in approach towards him, I should have thought that he was also evaluating whether I was a lifeline or a rotten rope.
"I don't have the power to free you right now."
"…"
"Given your status as a slave, there's no fundamental solution to the harassment."
As Eclis pointed out, there wasn't much I could do.
I could go to the count and hint at the mistreatment in the knight's order, but I had already made a bad first impression.
'The count, who already finds my bringing you here distasteful, wouldn't care about the mistreatment of a mere slave...'
I immediately abandoned the idea of trying to persuade him gently.
"But I will keep you in the knight's order."
I looked at him with a blank face and spoke arrogantly as usual.
"At least, if your sword skills improve, you might catch the count's eye."
"…"
"So, endure the pain. Endure and keep training to improve."
"…"
"I'll cause a commotion like today from time to time."