Vol 2 Chapter 10.1 (1/2)

2nd Volume, 10th Chapter 【The Blue Eyed Girl and the Gentleman at His Prime】 1st Part

――So, this is the jewellery shop, huh…

It had been a while since I established Merville Town as a foothold of activity. However, there had been no opportunity of visiting such a shop thus far.

There was a fas.h.i.+onable signboard depicting jewellery. Although it was a stone building, it wasn’t evoking a sense of uncouth; owing to the sculpture by the wall.

In short, it was a shop I would be too embarra.s.sed to enter by myself.

I was glad I had Lim with me.

I grasped the handle of the door, took a deep breath and pushed it open.

No, no. The reason as to why I was nervous was because I was here to sell a high value item.

I had no such concept as Sheena-san telling a lie (※Sheena-san was allowed to trick), so I was certain that its price was to the extent of being transacted in white gold coins.

For this reason, however, the chances of getting ripped off were considerable.

Therefore, I should first have solicited advice of the only merchant I was acquainted with, Batteau-san. I would not get scammed so easily, though. Also, it was their job.

Oh well. It was needless to be worried of getting swindled at such a legitimate shop in such a big town. If I sold it at a price I was convinced of, I would have no reason to regret over it.

I entered the shop and surveyed the interior.

What I imagined was a spectacle of gla.s.s cases ubiquitously exhibiting jewellery, but it was not so.

There was a long *f.u.kaf.u.ka* fluffy fur carpet laid out on the floor. The wall was adorned with what could be called interior decor. However, there was not a single article for sale on display.

If so, do I have to ask the shop clerk, and he will show it to me?

Actually, it was happening right in front of my eyes.

Besides Lim and I, there were four people inside the shop.

Behind the counter were two shop clerk-sans――an elderly man and a young woman.

The seeming visitors, whom the male shop clerk was dealing with, were two as well.

The face that was peering into a gorgeous ornamental case dedicated for the jewellery was rather childish.

The girl, who glanced our way just once, was literally a little girl.

Well arranged facial features, blonde hair and blue eyes; on top of that, Tateroll [Ringlets] hairstyle to finish off the Ojou-sama 『Princess』 look.

The dress-――lines appeared as if there was something round concealed in the lower half――a ball dress? ――The frilly sky blue fabric matched her clear white skin fairly well.

Although her expression was that of a poor lamenting, if she had to be described in one word, it would be a living 『Artistic France [French] Doll』.

As for her age… She had yet to reach 12…

To think she would be shopping at such a shop. Preposterous!

…Ah, oops. I refrained myself from peeking at her status on our very first encounter…

Oh well. As for what I had already viewed, nothing could be done about it.

Or rather, is this girl really the lord’s daughter?

Well, it was understandable.

Then, is the man next to the princess her father? Or so I thought… however, it was different…

Not because I peeked at his status, but because his attire was different.

As for what was different, after viewing him from 360 degrees, only one word came up――『Butler』.

A rufous vest on top of a white s.h.i.+rt; a black suit which differed only slightly from the suits I had seen before; and a black necktie… If that’s not a butler, then what is?

A well arranged moustache; long silver hair tied behind; and auburn eyes that momentarily glanced our way.

He consciously looked at the subconscious me.

As for his age… 45?

Eh… he is! Who is he? A combat butler?

Actually, it was a possibility at this age… If you took only the Skill Lv into account, it would be the current mine’s match…

Previously, he might temporarily have been a mercenary. Or he might be such an existence as escort-c.u.m-butler. After all, Arnold-san had the ability equivalent to a Rank B even though he only just became an Adventurer.

By the way, although I had been monologuing for a while, it had only been a few seconds since we stepped in.

I slightly bowed to the princess and the butler, so as not to appear impolite.

I proceeded to the female shop clerk who seemed to be free.

「I would like to sell this. How much can I get?」

Albeit only slightly, the female shop clerk was startled upon seeing the White Magic Crystal which I had taken out of my sack.

「Please wait a minute.」

Saying just that, she walked to the male shop clerk.

They’re one unit, huh?

「――Lim, I know that you know, still.」

「Un」

‘Where did you get this?’ in case that question was asked, the two of us had decided as to what we would answer.

Actually, it was something surprisingly simple. Something along the lines of, ‘I healed an injured mount and received it as a token of grat.i.tude.’

It wasn’t a lie. Also, it wouldn’t be doubted if I proved my social status as an Adventurer.

……Oh?

You told me to wait a minute. Why are all of you coming here?

The princess and the butler-san, who were asking for the elderly man’s a.s.sistance in buying an exorbitant jewel… were approaching, too…

「Ara! It’s real!」

A shrill voice peculiar to a girl resounded inside. When the princess’ gaze rested on the White Magic Crystal, which I brought with me, she grabbed it and said so.

…Don’t tell me I’m about to be robbed!

Those who called someone else’s possession theirs; this princess would not be an owner of such humanism, surely.