The next day after the second exam.
I went to an armor shop with Celica.
As expected of a shop in the royal capital, the collection is abundant.
Celica speaks while looking at the store interior.
"But this is surprising. To think Keika-sama is buying armor."
"It's not like I'm the one who will use it."
"Eh?"
The armor is for the trap. Having multiple traps is better.
"Well, I'm counting on you with the payment."
"I-I understand."
Celica's graceful fingers tightly grasp her purse. It's become quite thin since we met.
I've completely become a leech right now.
I'm going to make her live leisurely once I've become a hero.
A fat shopkeeper who seems to be the owner comes talking to me.
"Well, well if it isn't Keika-san. Thank you for yesterday."
"Yesterday?"
"I was betting that you were live."
"Good for you. Profit on me from now on too."
"Well then, what are you looking for?"
"A shield or a helmet, the cheaper the better."
"You're not looking for armor?"
He's staring at my body that's only wearing a Wafuku.
"I don't need one right now. I'll patronize you once I've become a hero."
"Cheap helmet or shield is it. How about this?"
The shopkeeper took out an iron helmet. It's a tacked-on helmet.
I stare at the item.
【Tacked-on Iron Helmet】 The helmet looks sturdy because it's tacked, however since it uses little iron in its creation, it breaks easily. Def+15.
I glare at the old man shopkeeper.
"The iron is so thin, it breaks easily. Are you really doing business with that thinking?"
"Eh, no.... Ah, I've made a mistake ahaha."
The shopkeeper wipes his sweat.
He starts to look for other products.
I call at his back.
"Do you have a helmet with gaudier decorations."
"How much is your budget?"
"As cheap as possible."
"Then how about this mask?"
An iron mask that covers the whole face. It's strapped with a belt. The ear decoration looks gaudy.
【Mask of Kanato】 The mask part of a helmet made by the famous craftsman Kanato. Obscures vision. Def+20 Agi-5.
...I see. It's only a part of a whole. Looks like I can use this to haggle hard.
The shopkeeper puts out a forced smile.
"This is quite an article by a famous craftsman, you can expect a considerable defensive power."
"It looks hard to see with that, don't think you can make moment judgments if you equip the mask."
"As expected of Keika-san. Very well, I will give a discount to 3 big gold coins, how about it?"
Charging 300,000 yen for an incomplete item, there's a limit to ripping-off.
The whole Helmet of Kanato seems to be worth 500,000-1,000,000 yen though.
"Even though it doesn't have the whole helmet?"
"W-why does a vagabond like you know that....!"
"I'm disappointed in you. I said that I'd patronize you once I became a hero. None of that now."
"N-no way! I'll halve the price. 1,5 big gold coins, how about it?"
"3 small gold coins it is." (about 15,000 yen)
"That's too cheap! My business will--"
"Even though you're selling junk products that are originally unsellable?"
"Guh...!"
"Once I become a hero and meet the king, I'll report about a shop in the royal capital's main street that's selling junks. From what I see, it seems there are weapons of soldiers too, do you have a license to do business?"
"Y-you said that, but are you really definitely going to become a hero!?"
"You don't need to sell it to me if you're not going to bet one me becoming a hero. This thing is 2 small gold coins if you're going to curry my favor."
"Uwaaa! This man haggled it down even more! Are you a devil! --ey, just take it! Take it for 2 small gold coins!"
The shopkeeper's face distorted and he wept.
I laugh.
"OK. Deal. Celica, please pay him."
"I understand.... Um, mister.... Please take heart."
"Uuu.... What kind words.... You're my only ally, young lady."
While crying, the shopkeeper takes the payment from Celica and tries to grasp her hands.
I catch Celica's slender shoulder and pull her back. The soft blond hair spread. She leans on me even while blushing.
He was trying to touch Celica during the confusion, like I'd let those dirty hands do that.
"There's no need for sympathy Celica. He probably thought, 'I can't sell this without the whole part. Since I always get good profit anyway, I'll take this much' during the transaction anyway, I should have been able to purchase it even at 1 small gold coin."
The shopkeeper opens his mouth in shock. Looks like he can't retort anymore.
While still being hugged, Celica looks up and asks me at point blank while looking like she finds it unbelievable..
"....To see through that much.... Did Keika-sama possibly operate a business back home?"
"Nope. I just knew it somehow."
"You're amazing, Keika-sama."
"See ya old man. I'll come again."
I took Celica out with me.
Afterward, we returned to our room in the inn.
I immediately prepared a writing brush and paint and painted the mask. I'm creating a black pattern.
While swaying her twintail, Lapisia is staring with curious eyes at me working.
Celica's blue eyes get rounded as she looks puzzled.
"Keika-sama, what are your working at?"
"Nn, I'm thinking of setting up a trap."
"Trap is it?"
"Alright, this pattern should do it."
Lapisia is filled with disgust like she's looking at a roach. Staring at the mask while furrowing a cute wrinkle on her forehead.
"hate that!"
"As I thought you understand Lapisia.... Don't ever equip it okay."
"un got it!"
I chant a spell before the paint dries.
"By the name of Keika Hiko-no-Mikoto Stagnant water of lamenting thought Windless of bitter thought Burn and go mad with furious resentment--<<Curse Thought Grant>>."
The iron mask's pattern moves like a snake as the curse is attaching itself.
The mask is now releasing a blue ominous aura.
Putting curses on equipment is a simple matter cause I'm a God.
【Mask of Rage】 A mask with a curse put by a God of another world. Drastically raise all attributes. However, the mask cannot be removed, and impulse to destroy cannot be controlled.
Lapisia who saw it screamed, 'Hiii', and jumped into the bed.
"hate! hate curse!"
She covers her whole body from head to toe with a blanket and shivers. The golden eyes peeking from the gap are moist. Looks it hit her trauma.
I wrap the mask in cloth and hide it.
I stand up and head outside the room.
"Then I'll be handing this mask for a bit."
"To whom will it be?"
"You'll know soon. More importantly, Lapisia and Celica, protect each other. Understand?"
"Yes, Keika-sama."
"S-s-see you, nano!"
Lapisia who said good bye even while being frightened was too cute my cheeks loosened.
A few days later.
I looked down at the night town.
Townscape inside the darkness.
I watched one tavern below closely.
I execute <<Senrigan>> and <<Great Eavesdropping>>.
Gaff and his underlings are having a talk in one corner of the tavern.
"So we watched them for several days now, Minya or Celica, which one's good for a hostage?"
"Should be Minya cos' she goes out alone rite'."
One of the underlings answered, but Majiria who has become my underling reacts.
"But y'know aniki. It won't be a hostage if they ain't close y'see? I mean, for him, she might be nothing more but an inn daughter right?"
"Yer' right. Guess it's gonna be the blondie...."
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