Chapter 29 (2/2)

“I don’t think it would be a problem. Ritz would probably say the same thing.”

“But still…”

“I won’t force you. You can decide if you want to take the quest or not, I’m just saying it’s possible to. But…”

Jack stopped talking and gazed over Loren’s body.

Loren didn’t understand what he was trying to say, so Jack told him apologetically.

“But you know, I’d prefer it if you’d get a weapon first.”

Jack was there when Loren’s weapon broke.

That’s why he knew that Loren didn’t have one, and although he had faith in Loren’s strength and skill, he was hesitant about recommending someone without a weapon.

Loren then realized that if he couldn’t secure one, he might not have to take part in this quest.

He was about to say that he didn’t have the money to buy a new weapon, but faltered as he saw Lapis staring at him with half-open eyes.

“Uh, but…this…is…”

“Come on Lapis. You know what kind of situation I’m in, right…?”

“Hey, Jack. I’ll do something about my equipment by tomorrow. Can you go ahead and give us the recommendation?”

In the end, Loren lost to the pressure of Lapis’ silence.

“Man, you’ve got nothing on her. She’s walking all over you.”

“Shut up, I don’t need you to remind me.”

“Well, it’s you we’re talking about, so I’m sure you’ll have something ready by tomorrow. I’ll go talk to Ritz about this. Well, there’s not going to be any silver ranks going on that quest, so you’ll get in no problem with our recommendation.”

“Thanks, man. So… Lapis.”

“Hmm?”

Since the conversation was going the way she wanted it to, the pressure that Lapis was emitting just a moment ago had vanished without a trace. Loren willed his mind to say the words that he really didn’t want to say.

“Lend me some money.”

Increasing his debt wasn’t good at all.

But if he couldn’t prepare equipment, he wouldn’t be able to take better quests and would have to use his fists to fight instead.

So, he decided to take this opportunity to borrow what money he could to buy equipment.

“Equipment? You’re going to buy some?”

“If I don’t, I’ll be causing trouble for Jack.”

“Hmmm…”

Lapis started thinking for a while and then asked Jack a question.

“About the quest. What will the departure time be?”

“I’m not sure about the details, but they have to make sure Shayna is healthy enough to move, so they said in three days at the earliest.”

After Lapis heard Jack’s reply, she started counting her fingers, seemed to come to a conclusion, then faced Loren.

“I’m sorry Loren. I can lend you the money no problem, but is it possible that you can wait one day?”

“Well…I’m the one borrowing, so if you want me to wait, I’ll wait.”

“Since it’s equipment, that means you want to buy a weapon like a greatsword, right? If that’s the case, I feel like the money that I have right now isn’t going to be enough, so I’ll go get more money.”

Loren’s feelings darkened slightly, as he knew that he wouldn’t be able to get a weapon like the one he had before to have right away.

It was hard to believe that a weapon of that size and weight would be sold at an ordinary store.

He was planning on finding something similar, but that was going to be difficult as well, so he was going to have to compromise.

“Well then, I’ve got things to do, so I’ll be on my way.”

She slowly and smoothly stood up, and quickly walked out of the bar.

After watching her go, Loren decided to leave as well, but Jack stopped him as he was about to stand up, so he sat back down.

“You’re not in a hurry, right? Join me for a bit.”

“Well, I don’t mind…”

Even if he wanted to go look at some equipment, he wasn’t sure how much Lapis was going to be able to lend him.

He decided that he had some free time to spend with Jack, and took a gulp from his cup, but almost spewed it all over at Jack’s next words.

“We’ve both got it pretty rough, having fallen in love with odd girls.”

“…How did we get to this topic again?”

It was so sudden that Loren couldn’t put any emotion into his comment, while Jack was nodding like he understood how Loren felt.

“I know I know. I understand. I’m getting walked all over by Nim as well, but I guess this is what the weakness called love brings us.”

Loren, as he wiped the ale from his mouth, had already guessed their relationship during the first time they were together, but it was kind of awkward coming from Jack’s own lips.

“But you know, I’m starting to think that getting sat on by that thin b.u.t.t of hers isn’t that bad.”

“Hey, if she hears that you’ll become a beehive on the spot.”

Conversations like these were bound to go around one way or another.

He was giving a warning as well as some advice, but the alcohol had already worked up to Jack’s head and didn’t reach him.

“Her touchiness is also part of her charm.”

“You drunk…and you’re talking fondly of the girl you love at the same time. What am I supposed to do about this….”

Loren decided that he was going to need more alcohol to deal with Jack’s drunk behavior, hugging himself and squirming as he kept talking about Nim, and ordered another cup from a pa.s.sing waitress.