The weapon merchant held out the hilt with his index and thumb, urging me to take a look.
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 use a bit of magic power. 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 glare and quickly changed his words.
"...I mean, that bodyguard emits an incredibly powerful aura. I've run a trading company for thirty years, but I've only seen a few people who exude such a terrifying aura."
"Really?"
"Absolutely!"
I wanted to boast, 'He's going to be a Sword Master soon,' but I held back.
"Actually, this sword is so rare that it was acquired through a very expensive transaction in the black market. However, it's too expensive, and knights usually look for flashy swords..."
The weapon merchant sniffled, saying, "Poor little baby."
"This sword, although it doesn't have any special reinforcement spells, is made from very rare materials. It's made from iron ore mined from the long-extinct dwarf mines."
"Is it good?"
"Even now, there's no way to mine it. It's a dwarf secret."
'It's good.'
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."
"...Like the royal palace?"
The weapon merchant nodded and looked around to make sure no one was around, then whispered.
"...It's perfect for assassination."
It was an exaggeration. Who would use a shrinking and growing sword for assassination when they could use poison or a dart?
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.'
Actually, I had been thinking 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 held it.
"Alright, I'll take it."
"Thank you, sir! Finally, our baby has found such a suitable owner!"
The weapon merchant, with tears in his eyes, immediately asked.
"Would you like me to send this to your mansion as well?"
"No. Give it to me now."
A little while later.
After roughly finishing the payment and about to leave the shop, I stopped in my tracks, caught by a sparkling object.
"What's this?"
It looked quite ornate and elegant, unlike something sold in a weapon shop.
It was small and round, with intricate engravings inside, and sparkling gems embedded in it.
I had never seen anything like it.
"Ah, that's a type of amulet."
"Amulet?"
"Yes. Isn't the hunting tournament coming up soon? It's the most popular item among women these days, to give as a gift to loved ones and family members participating in the hunt."
"...Really? What does it do?"
"Since it has a magic stone embedded in the engraved spell, it automatically activates magic in an emergency."
"What kind of magic?"
"It varies by 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 as a standard feature, so you can attach them anywhere on your body."
The merchant, noticing my interested expression, immediately offered.
"Would you like to see one?"
I nodded.
A little while later, I held Eclis's necklace and three ornate amulets in my hand, one gold, one silver, and one bronze.
"Did you have a good time, miss?"
Instead of the inarticulate Eclis, the coachman hurriedly came over and took the shopping bag from my hand.
It contained the amulets. I had hidden the gift for Eclis in the inner pocket.
"Where to now, miss?"
"There's a quiet lake to the west."
"Ah, you mean Karia 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 a gift to give.
'Since I decided to give it, I should do it properly.'
I intended to resolve all the grievances and resentment that had built up in Eclis's heart today.
"Miss, we've arrived."
The carriage stopped after a short while.
I got out of the carriage with Eclis's help.
He stood a few steps away, naturally fulfilling his duty as a bodyguard.
"Would you walk with me? I'd feel lonely walking alone."
I turned to him and extended my hand gracefully.
Eclis hesitated for a moment before gently taking the tip of my hand. The touch was so light it was barely noticeable.
I clicked my tongue and firmly grasped his hand.
I could feel him flinch through his fingers.
A quick glance showed him bowing his head. Unfortunately, his affection level didn't change.
We walked silently for a while, holding hands, along a well-maintained path.
We finally arrived at a viewing deck built over the lake.
It looked like a perfect date spot, but there weren't many people there, 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 who neither admired the scenery nor tried to start a conversation and spoke kindly.
"Are you feeling better?"
His gray eyes, which had been staring into space, slowly turned towards me.
He seemed puzzled, as if wondering what I was talking about.
"You had some bad luck this morning, didn't you?"
Eclis didn't answer immediately.
Finally, he reluctantly replied, almost as if making an excuse.
"...It was nothing."
I asked cautiously, feeling guilty.
"How many times has something like this happened?"
"It's the first time I've experienced it."
"Eclis."
I called his name, almost like a sigh.
"Don't try to deceive me with obvious lies. I told you, I want to make everyone acknowledge your stay at the mansion."
"..."
"I'm not scolding you for not being able to do it right away. Since it's beyond your control, I'll step in."
"..."
"Is Renald leading the bullying?"
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 knights' guild, my lord?"
I was momentarily speechless.
It seemed like he was mocking me, but his face was as expressionless as wax.
"Even if you try to change things, I'm just a slave, so nothing will change, my lord."
"..."
"If you care about me, just pretend you don't know and stay out of it. It's fine, really."
I was taken aback by the unexpected response, but I understood the hidden meaning.
'Just stay out of it and don't stir things up, or you'll 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 concubine by now.
[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 due to his loyalty to Penelope...
Now I understand his true nature.
'Maybe it was just a calculated move to ensure his own survival.'
Seeing his affection level rise above 30%, I felt a bit elated without realizing it.
After the morning's incident, I had honestly felt hopeful.
I had thought, 'If this continues, I'll see the ending soon,' and I had been so excited that I dragged him to the weapon shop.
"...Right. You're right."
Not knowing how tough reality could be.
I answered with a slightly deflated voice.
"You must understand now. My position in the mansion."
While I was reconsidering my all-out support for 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."
"..."
"Since you're a slave, there's no fundamental solution to the bullying."
As Eclis pointed out, there wasn't much I could do.
I could go to the duke and hint at the mistreatment in the knights' guild, but I had already made a bad start.
'Just bringing you here has already made the duke uncomfortable. He wouldn't care about the bullying of a mere slave...'
I immediately gave up on the idea of trying to soothe him.
"But I'll keep you in the knights' guild."
I looked at him with a blank face and said arrogantly as usual.
"At least, if your sword skills improve a bit, you might catch the duke's eye."
"..."
"So, endure the pain. Endure and keep training to improve your skills."