CHAPTER 85: ONE OF THE LARGEST STORES IN THE ROYAL CAPITAL

The next day.

　Esther took me to an armor store called “Regulus Trading Company”

　Weapons store, armor store, kitchen equipment store, carpentry tool store, magic scroll store, woodwork store, stonework store…

　The street where the store is located is in a district with specialized stores, there a variety of specialized supply stores line up the street.

　Among them, the largest was Regulus Trading Company.

　This shop does not produce armor but distributes and sells armor made by contracted artisans.

“Regulus Trading Company handles high-quality armor that other stores cannot offer due to our exclusive contracts with skilled craftsmen.”

　Such a bold statement was posted next to the entrance.

　Even though it was just after opening, there were already many adventurers in the store.

　This alone indicates the popularity of the Regulus Trading Company in Yuster.

“Toru. This is the shoe rack.” (Esther)

“Uh-huh.”

　Esther pulled me and we head for the shoe rack while moving through the large number of armors placed within the store.

　On the way

“–!?” (Clerk)

　A female clerk who passed by saw us and was slightly startled.

(Hmm, what is it?)

　I became anxious and confused.

(It is a pretty big store, maybe we have to be qualified to enter it similar to a brand-name store.)

　The store was as large as a home improvement store in Japan.

　There is also a wide selection of products.

　It seems that it will take all day to just look at the insides of the store.

“From here to there are the shoe racks.” (Esther)

“Oh”

　After walking for a while, I finally arrived in the shoe area.

　Shoes of various shapes are neatly displayed on the shelves.

　All shoes were for combat professionals such as adventurers and knights.

　All are solidly made.

　I check the products one by one starting from the edge of the shelf.

“Wow … it is amazing. It is quite solid. What kind of leather is it?”

“It is Rock Worm leather.” (Esther)

“Oh, that is the one they are talking about.”

　It is a material that Esther tried to peel off before, but it could not be peeled off because I tore them apart.

　The texture is a little rugged, and even if I push my finger against it, it does not deform. The defense power is outstanding.

“Will Toru be choosing the Rock Worm leather shoe?” (Esther)

“…No”

　I shook my head. I did not think I would buy it because I knew where it originally came from.

(No matter how good the material is, it is originally from a worm…)

　It was when we were choosing shoes.

“Excuse me. Esther-sama?” (Clerk)

　A clerk called to us.

　It was the clerk who got startled a little while ago.

(Esther… sama?)

　I was dumbfounded by the words of the clerk.

　For as long as I was in Eargard, this is only the second time I have heard the title of “sama”.

　The first when Finlis’s chief butler addressed his lord.

　Other than that, I have never heard the title of sama.

　Marie, the receptionist, also added “san” when calling me.

　That is why I was strongly caught up in the fact that the clerk added a “sama” in addressing Esther

　Esther who was called while she was looking at the swords nodded slightly.

“… uh-huh.” (Esther)

“Thank God! We have been waiting for you for a long time, Esther-sama; Dana-sama has been waiting for you. Come on in.” (Clerk)

“No, I just came as a guest…” (Esther)

“Come on, come on!” (Clerk)

　The clerk does not listen to Esther’s words, and grabs her arm and pulls her.

　If Esther were serious, it would have been easy to pull away from the clerk.

　The reason she did not resist the clerk is that she did not really want to.

“Toru…”

　I heard a sorrowful voice from Esther as she was taken away.

　I, who was intending to see her off, sighed, “There is no helping it,” and followed Esther.

　Esther was brought to a back room for employees behind the counter.

　The inventory of armors is lined up there.

　Most of the inventory was of items that were available in the store.

　However, there might be some items that are not in the storefront.

　These special items are probably only offered when their customers ask for them.

(Is there any rare equipment here?)

　I looked around the back room.

　If time and the shop would allow it, I wanted to check everything here as well.

　After walking around the back room for a while, we arrived at the office at the back of the store.

“Excuse me. Dana-sama. I brought Esther-sama.” (Clerk)

“Um. Pass through.” (Store Owner)

　A profound voice echoed from the office.

　Upon hearing the voice, I went on alert by reflex.

　It was a voice with a strong amount of dominance.

　When we entered the office, a slightly overweight middle-aged man was sitting in the chair at the back.

　This man is the owner of the voice I heard earlier.

　Laughter lines are deeply engraved around his eyes and mouth.

　Looking at that alone, I feel that he could be a good person.

　However, unlike his facial expression, his eyes are sharp.

　The man stands up from his chair.

　Immediately, my spine tensed.

(What. What will happen!?)

　The man opened his mouth while I ready myself.

“E-Esther-chuwaaaaan!!!” (Store Owner)