Harassing Thief Girl - Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Design Commencement

“Ah…”

Claire unconsciously leaked out a sweet breath she had never made before .

Her whole body was wrapped in a warm gentleness . Something gently touched her lips .

Claire resisted the idea of waking up for a second, but she eventually began to open her eyes .

When her eyes were fully opened, a pair of emerald eyes were gazing back into hers .

“Ah…Ah…Ah…”

Ellis smiled at the shaking Claire as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened .

“Claire, good morning . ”

Claire was brought into Ellis’s pace and mechanically returned Ellis’s greeting .

“Eh, oh yeah, Ellis, good morning . ”

Ellis slightly raised herself up in bed and looked down at Claire . “Do you remember what I asked you yesterday?”

Ask?

…Ah .

Claire remembered in the middle of last night’s fluff . It was a conversation during an interlude of pillow talk . Ellis would tell her about the ability that she possesses, but she had to promise to keep it a secret .

“Yeah, I remember . ”

“Will you listen to my request?”

“Of course, Ellis . ”

“Thank you, Claire . ”

Those emerald color eyes slowly came closer to Claire, and she was drawn into the luscious world again .

But the two would soon be brought back to reality .

“Miss! Claire! It’s morning!”

“Ellis . Claire . Breakfast is ready!”

Reeve and Frau were both knocking on the guest room door and calling for the two .

By the way, the both of them were tormented by Ellis the previous night, and they were both in very good moods with glossy skin .

Ellis and Claire hurriedly threw on their clothes and opened the guest room door as if nothing at happened .

“Good morning, Reeve, Frau” X2

“Good morning, you two . ”

“Alright, let’s go have breakfast . ”

The four people went downstairs and took their usual seats at the breakfast table .

“Then I will explain my secret to Claire after we finish our food . ”

“Once you hear it, you can’t unhear it . ”

“You don’t know what you will see if you betray this secret . ”

Two people were unnecessarily intimidating and threatening Claire, but Claire argued against them, even though her voice was like a mosquito crying compared to their pressures .

“I will absolutely not betray Ellis…”

“Hoh . ”

“Hee . ”

Towards the Reeve and Frau who were admiring Claire’s resolve, Ellis was making a smug face as she showed off the results of her training . However, for the two whose training involved them giving up various things, Ellis knew she would never be able to give that type of face on their behalf .

“What, please be a little more jealous . ”

It is good that no one is able to read the mind of the hikineet .

After breakfast, Ellis told Claire about her secret abilities as she had done with Frau .

While Claire was surprised, she was calmly convinced .

“Oh, so is that why Ellis suggested using a Fever Stone yesterday?”

“As to be expected of Claire . You understand that with my abilities, we do not have to worry about the heat source . ”

“Naturally, Ellis . ”

“That’s why I’d like to officially order the design and construction of the large public bathhouse and the flush toilet we discussed yesterday from Claire’s workshop . ”

To Ellis’s request, Claire gave a hearty smile . “I will do a good job . The only favor I ask is that you let me supervise the design and construction of the project . I also hope that you can lend me a room to stay in . ”

“No problem . ”

Ellis accepts .

Both Reeve and Frau who have already accepted Claire also have no objections .

“There is one more thing I would like to ask for . ”

“Go ahead . ”

“With this project, I would like to repay my master, so…then…”

“Yes?”

“Because I will quit my position with him, I want to live with you . Ah, I will continue doing design work, so I will be able to properly pay rent . ”

Reeve and Frau looked at each other expressionlessly . They were two people who were sighing continuously .

“Miss, I have no objections . ”

“I also have no problems with it . ”

Naturally, Ellis also has no reason to turn down Claire’s offer .

“Okay, Claire, then welcome . ”

After completing the settlement, the four people headed to Blacksmith Alley again and made their way to Claire’s studio . Frau entered first and calls out .

“Master, are you here?”

Then, like the other day, a giant old man came out from the back of the workshop and looked down on them .

“Oh, did the request for work come together?”

Here, Frau replaces Ellis and begins to describe the design and construction of the waterway and bathhouse to the master . However, in the drawing she provided, she provided camouflage and stated that they would be using firewood to heat the water .

“It’s quite the large-scale project for a couple of people . ” When the master so muttered, Claire advocated from her side to her boss .

“I will take care of the project from the construction to the design management . I want to be in charge!”

The master narrowed his eyes at Claire’s aggressive proposal that could not be imagined coming from her usual frightened appearance .

“Hmm . Can you do it?”

“I can do it!”

“I understand . Then, Frau . I will calculate the estimate based on the approximate design right away, so you will have to pay half the fee to the Construction Guild up front . Please pay the remaining half once the job is finished . ”

Ellis made sure to add on a further condition to the master .

“If you do not mind, we will provide one room to be used as a work room, so Claire can stay on site and do her design work at our mansion . ”

There is no real reason to turn down such favorable conditions . This means you can stay on scene . In other words, it means that design modification can be done on site each time something goes wrong or if one party’s request alters the project in some way .

When the master looked over to confirm with Claire, Claire puffed out her chest and nodded confidently .

“I, I will go!”

The master was satisfied with Claire’s response . “Alright . First Claire will complete the design’s outline . Once it’s complete, bring it back to the workshop, and we will calculate the estimates based on her design . ”

And so the provisional contract is successfully completed .

◊

Ellis took Claire to the city’s center afterwards in order to buy goods for Claire’s magic tools .

“Claire will have to prepare a favorite bag . ”

Ellis came up with a few other ideas as well .

“Well, maybe Frau and Claire could use weapons as well? I use a dagger, and Reeve has her shamshir as you can see . ”

Then Frau showed an expression she had never shown before .

“When I go adventuring, I am part of the ‘Morning Star’ and ‘Kite Shield’ faction . ”

“Morning star?”

Frau did not notice the expression that had donned on Ellis, and she replied with a smile .

“Yes, it is an iron ball with thorns connected to a stick with a chain . ”

“What do you mean by a kite shield?” Reeve had the same ‘what are you talking about’ expression as Ellis did, but towards Reeve, Frau laughed and turned up her nose .

“I’m not sure what you’re imagining it to be, but a kite shield is a rectangular shield . It is a durable piece of equipment compared to other flimsy weapons like shamshirs . ”

Reeve immediately reacted to Frau’s provocation .

“If so, then why don’t we try it out?”

“Right, knock it off . ”

Why does Reeve always blow her top off toward all of Frau’s provocations? As for Frau, she always remains calm even when she gets passionate . I wonder what would happen if she ever became enraged .

Ellis sighed while working her way between the two of them .

On the other hand, Claire had a troubling look as if she was chewing on some dirty linen .

“I have never held a weapon before . Since I never became a member of the Magician’s Guild, I never received a magic wand . ”

Apparently the magician guild is not a pyramid-shaped commercial organization like the thief or adventurer guilds but is rather a magician’s mutual help association .

“What does a magic wand do?”

“The magic wand is a magic tool that reduces the mental power needed to use spells, and it can also shorten the spell’s casting time . ”

Frau supplements here . “Magician’s can reduce the needed mental strength by increasing their affinity with the magic . In the case of ‘fire bullet’ the basic MP needed to cast is 5, but a master class magician could cast the spell for as little as 1 MP . ”

“Are wands the same as a Magical Ring?”

“It has a similar effect of a magic wand, but why does Ellis know about them?”

Actually, Ellis found a Magical Ring when they were looking for tools to help Reeve prevent her assassination . However, since that effect had little to do with Ellis or Reeve directly, we passed it by at the time .

As Ellis told this to Frau, Frau panicked .

“Most rings have higher capabilities than canes, so let’s quickly go look before it’s gone!”

Ellis hurriedly headed to the stall she had visited that day . Although she saw a few lightly shining objects on the way, she ignored them and went straight towards her destination .

“Oh good, it’s still here . ”

Ellis was relieved to find a silver ring set one place higher than a mountain of other rings at a street stall .

Magical Ring–When the wearer uses magic, it reduces the required MP by 2 . However, the cost cannot become less than 1 . Does not work on magic tools . Necessary MP: 0 Autonomous type .

“Little lady, it costs quite a price . ”

Looking at the complexion of Ellis who was heading straight for the ring in question, the young shopkeeper smelled an opportunity .

“How much is it?” When Reeve calmly asked, the shopkeeper replied grinningly .

“It’s a satisfactory total of 20 thousand ril . You can’t beat that price . ”

“Buy it!” Ellis responded immediately .

The shopkeeper was overwhelmed by the momentum of Ellis pushing upon a swordwoman like Reeve’s back .

“Also, please give us one extra ring from the mountain underneath it . ”

Ellis moved her body in front of Reeve and picked out a random ring from the pile while Reeve handed over 20 thousand ril to the shopkeeper .

“Oh, okay, why…This is usually the part where we negotiate the price . ”

Then, when they had reached a few steps away from the stalls, Reeve handed the Magical Ring to Claire . Claire put it on one of her fingers .

Yup . It looks nice .

“By the way, why didn’t you activate your ability over there? Couldn’t you copy the ‘Magical’ ability onto one of those other, cheaper rings . ”

As the person with the longest social relationship with Ellis, Reeve knew how Ellis usually operated, and Ellis had to smile in spite of herself .

“Because this one was my favorite, I wanted to leave quickly . ”

While chuckling, Ellis held up the poorly made ring that she had grabbed as a freebie in front of the three .

“This funny looking ring…maybe!!”

Frau talked with doubt at first, but she soon felt a faint, magical power being transmitted while gazing at the ring .

“As expected of the veteran receptionist Frau from the adventurer guild . Yes, this is an Ice Ring . ”

Ice Ring–Covers the surface of one object with ice damaging it and preventing it from moving for a time . Basic damage: 10 . Frozen duration: Depends on the opponents resistance . Required MP: 5 .

“We also grabbed an amazing magic tool that would be worth at least 20 million ril from a specialty shop . ”

Reeve clapped in amazement, but Frau continued with Ellis’s words .

“So you wanted to grab it and leave quickly?”

“Yes, I do not know who might be paying attention if I’m charging in to grab a ring decorated like this, and I want to avoid duplication on the fly in that kind of place . In other words, you can think of it as us throwing away 20 thousand ril to get a treasure worth 20 million ril . ”

“Just to be safe, we should duplicate it and have everyone equip it . ”

After that, they walked around the street stalls, but they could not find any other remarkable magic tools . After Claire had picked out a backpack, they went back to the store they had eaten lunch at the other day .

Ellis was the first to sit down and as she did, she mumbled, “We will use about half of our money on the construction of the property . ”

As the former member of an aristocratic house, spending large amounts of money like this drives a nail into Reeve’s heart . “Yeah, that’s right . I would like to avoid increasing the cost as much as possible . ”

Then Frau put out a proposal that everyone could find fun . “Then while Claire is designing, how about the three of us go exploring together . ”

Wow .

“Is there a place that we can go to for only a day trip?”

“Yes . If it’s Aida’s Labyrinth, three people can go there and be back in half a day . With our Bag’s of Gluttony, we can carry an unlimited number of mushrooms, too, so we can make back some of this money . ”

“Then let’s go home and organize our equipment tonight . ”

Reeve nods to Ellis’s proposal .

“Oh, yeah . ” Claire, not to be left out, chimes in as well . “I will go with you once construction is over . ”

“If we have a heavy fighter, a light swordsman, a thief, and a magician in our party, we can go for a high level in labyrinths, but a healer would become essential to us . ”

Ellis hurriedly responded to Frau’s analysis . “Oh, I forgot to tell you, since Reeve’s shamshir has the [Inhalation] ability, she recovers any damage she deals . ”

The second Ellis said the word “Inhalation,” Frau had become rigid . She licked her lips and said, “If you duplicate that onto my morning star, it means I will recover as much damage as I deal to my enemy . ”

“That is true . ”

“Fufufufufufufufufu . ”

Frau leaked out a laugh .

Frau is scary .

As I thought, she is the opposite of Reeve . If she ever blows her top, it will be an emergency situation .

I must be careful .

So the four people who finished lunch arrived home early .