I was taken aback by the subtle change that I might not have noticed if I hadn't paid close attention.
‘...How old is Eclis again?’
Just looking at his face, he seemed like a young and innocent boy.
I carefully recalled the game. Since I hadn't memorized the profiles of all the characters, I couldn't easily remember his age.
However, in Normal Mode, it takes one year to reach all the endings after the heroine returns.
And in the epilogue that follows the ending, Eclis holds an adult ceremony and marries the heroine.
In this game, adulthood means turning 18. So, Eclis must be...
‘At least 17 years old, right?’
I was originally 20, so in a way, I was trying to seduce a much younger spirit.
‘But why do I keep feeling like I’m the one being seduced?’
I was carefully observing Eclis, whose redness had faded, when...
“Miss, we have arrived at the merchant’s.”
The carriage stopped.
It was time to go and reward the audacious slave.
* * *
“Welcome!”
The owner of the weapon shop, who had seen the carriage with Ecart's emblem, hurriedly ran out and bowed deeply at the entrance.
“Is this the place that sells the best enchanted swords in the empire?”
“Yes, sir! Our shop handles not only swords but all kinds of rare weapons. Just let us know what you need.”
“Eclis, come in with me.”
I called him, who was standing blankly next to the carriage.
He seemed to think that as a mere guard, he shouldn't come in, so he hesitated.
“Come on.”
When I urged him again, he didn't delay and stood right behind me.
“Do you have any wooden swords enchanted with reinforcement magic?”
I decided to buy the most urgent item first.
The weapon merchant looked puzzled.
“Wooden swords? We do have them, but with reinforcement magic...”
“Not available?”
I frowned.
I had come here with high hopes after the butler recommended it, but I feared it might have been in vain.
“Wait, if you wish, we can have them custom-made!”
The merchant hastily added, seeing my displeased expression.
“However, very few people go to such lengths for training wooden swords. Once they have a basic stance, they usually switch to real swords...”
“Hmm.”
I cleared my throat, feeling a bit embarrassed. I must have looked like a complete novice.
“Our shop has many wooden swords made from ancient hardwood that won't break easily.”
“Show me around.”
A moment later, we entered a room filled with nothing but wooden swords.
I glanced around while the owner chattered incessantly beside me.
Honestly, they all looked the same, just different shades of wood.
“Do you like any of them?”
I handed the choice over to Eclis. But he shook his head.
“...I don't know.”
“Not good?”
“It's not that... They look just like the ones in the training ground. I can use those, sir.”
“No way!”
The owner, who had heard Eclis, quickly exclaimed.
“These are all sturdy enough to match real swords! Especially the ones made from the ash trees in the Fairy Forest, which are sharp enough to cut through straw...!”
No matter how good he said they were, it would be useless if the recipient didn't choose them.
“Can't help it.”
When I sighed, the owner, thinking I was dissatisfied, stopped pulling out the wooden swords.
“Then, shall we go to the real swords instead...”
“What do you mean?”
“Huh?”
“From here to there.”
I roughly pointed from the entrance to the far end of the room.
“Send all of them to the Ecart mansion.”
Since we were buying them, it would be better to have a variety of sturdy ones in case they break.
Next was the training uniform.
Perhaps because of his height and good looks, Eclis looked absolutely splendid in the new outfits.
“Not bad.”
I walked around him once and said casually.
The excited merchant flattered me, spitting out saliva.
“Of course! The best items in the capital!”
“Do you like them?”
I asked belatedly, realizing I had dressed him up as I pleased without considering his opinion.
Eclis stared at me and asked expressionlessly.
“...What about you, sir?”
“Huh?”
“Are you satisfied, sir?”
I had a feeling he would say no if I asked.
“I chose them based on my taste, so of course I like them. I'm asking what you think, Eclis.”
It wasn't a lie, so I added with a small laugh.
“I won't be wearing them, after all.”
“If you like them, I will too.”
“Really? Then...”
I felt quite pleased with Eclis's cheeky response.
“Send three of each type.”
“Yes, yes! Of course! Right away!”
The merchant's mouth dropped open at my words.
“Alright, then. Shall we go and buy a real sword last?”
I clapped my hands lightly and turned around. The merchant hurriedly followed.
That's when it happened.
“Sir, I'm fine with these.”
Eclis quickly stepped forward and blocked my path.
“Why? For a knight, a sword is the most important thing!”
The merchant, who had become more confident, said what I wanted to say.
I nodded and looked at him again.
“You need a sword. Is it too much of a burden?”
“No. Rather...”
Eclis hesitated to answer, which was rare.
“...I don't think I'll have a use for a real sword. I don't want to keep the gifts you give me in vain.”
“Why won't you have a use for it? Once you finish basic swordsmanship, you'll use real swords for sparring.”
“Of course, of course! The customer is always right.”
The merchant nodded excessively in agreement with my question.
Eclis wasn't flustered. He spoke as if it were a matter of course.
“...Slaves can't become official knights.”
“...”
“So, I only need the wooden swords for training.”
I was momentarily speechless.
He knew he couldn't become a knight, but I had assumed it would happen eventually.
‘Thinking about it, Eclis can only become an official knight because Penelope dies.’
I was too busy dealing with my own problems to reflect on the game's content.
For me to survive, perhaps Eclis shouldn't become an official knight.
The merchant, thinking I was reconsidering the purchase of real swords, hastily added:
“W-What are you saying! Even if you can't become a knight, a sword is essential to protect your master.”
“My body is enough to protect you, sir.”
“...”
The merchant shut his mouth, frightened.
Actually, he was right, and I had nothing to say.
Thinking of his impressive combat records, his entire body was a weapon.
“...Alright, I understand. If that's what you think.”
I nodded readily. It wouldn't be good to force a burden on someone who had already given up.
“I need to look around a bit more, so go wait outside.”
Eclis immediately turned around at my words.
I clicked my tongue as I watched him walk away without even saying goodbye.
‘Who's the master here...’
I had noticed before, but Eclis never showed proper respect unless I pointed it out.
He was a very presumptuous slave.
“D-Do you need anything else, sir? Just let us know.”
The merchant, left alone with me, cautiously asked.
“Since we're here, let me take a look at the enchanted swords.”
“Ah, yes. This way, please!”
The merchant brightened at my words. It was his main product, after all.
Indeed, the area where the enchanted swords were displayed was much larger and more spacious than the others. The number of swords on display was enormous.
I carefully examined the swords. They ranged from small daggers to greatswords as big as my torso, and the variety was impressive.
However, the decorations, scabbards, and handles were all extravagantly ornate.
“Everything is too eye-catching. Do you have any simple ones?”
“Then... please wait a moment, sir.”
The merchant looked serious as he searched the corner of the display case.
“...How about this one?”
After a while, he brought out a dusty box.
It was surprisingly small, like an accessory case, but he said it contained a sword.
“What is this?”
“It's an ancient mage's sword.”
He unlocked the box with a key ring.
I was about to be annoyed by the dust, but the mention of an ‘ancient mage’ piqued my interest.
The merchant opened the box, and with a creak, inside was...
“What is this?”
A crude iron necklace with a small, plain sword-shaped pendant.
“Are you joking with me?”
I asked for a simple sword, not a necklace with a sword pendant.
Moreover, the pendant had no gems and fell far short of any aesthetic standards.
I scowled fiercely. The merchant waved his hands.
“No, no! How could I joke with you!”
“Then what is this?”
“Here, if you hold the hilt of the sword and infuse it with mana, the pendant will transform into a real sword!”