"Can we talk about why you three jumped us in an alley…"
As the five of them left the alleyway onto the streets of the Clothing district, they continued their conversation.
Tiona, walking beside Kaelis with her hands swinging loosely, spoke first, her usual energy bubbling to the surface.
"Right, so—let's explain from the top!" she said, pointing between Kaelis and Bell.
"We weren't following you on purpose or anything so don't get the wrong idea. We were just out doing our regular shopping!"
"Hm? Shopping at this hour?" Kaelis glanced up at the sky.
The sun was on its way down the horizon at this hour.
Well, I guess it isn't unusual. It's a universal rule that females shop the whole day.
But…
"How come I don't see any of you with shopping bags? Did you leave them somewhere?"
They've traveled quite a ways from where they met, but he hadn't seen them go back for anything.
Tione folded her arms, picking up the explanation from where her sister left off.
"We only came to do some light shopping since we're bored." She said before adding, "But then we see the two of you heading into a back alley with bags and masks on. Honestly, it looked like the kind of thing cheap robbers would do."
Kaelis gave a small chuckle. "I can assure you, we bought everything in those bags. Nothing stolen."
At the back of the group, Aiz and Bell simply watch the three in front converse as if it was they haven't just met.
Tiona leaned closer, eyes bright with curiosity. "Then why were you guys wearing masks anyway? Trying to look mysterious or something?"
Kaelis cleared his throat, and tried his best to keep a straight face.
"It was… to hide our faces. In case we couldn't afford anything. We didn't want anyone recognizing us if we had to walk out empty-handed."
He looked away for a second. "Fortunately, we managed just fine."
Tiona burst into a fit of laughter at his words, making his eye twitch.
"So that's all it was?" Tione asked, one eyebrow raised. "You're just trying not to have your pride shattered."
"Just shopping," Kaelis confirmed with a nod.
Bell, who was walking behind, turned his face away from Aiz who eyed him a bit.
He hoped to quickly get out of here and reach to change out of his torn up clothes.
It's embarrassing enough to have to walk around in ragged clothes and a mask, but being so closely observed by a beautiful girl was getting to him now.
His master didn't have to worry though—as his outfit is perfectly intact due to not having to do any rough housing in the dungeon.
Kaelis quickly shifted the topic, genuine curiosity returning to his expression.
"Speaking of shopping… Why are the armor prices in the blacksmith district so high? Everything we checked looked far beyond what the normal range should be."
"Oh! That's because that whole district's run by the Goibniu Familia," Tiona explained immediately.
"They're super skilled. Some of the best craftsmen in all of Orario."
Tione added, "High quality means high cost. Even we don't buy their stuff casually."
Aiz nodded once. "Their armor is strong."
Kaelis hummed thoughtfully, understanding now. "I see. That explains it."
But then, "With prices so high, wouldn't casualties among the rookie or low budget adventurers be high as well? I mean, since they can't afford to buy them."
"Oh! That's because that whole district's run by the Goibniu Familia," Tiona explained immediately.
"They're super skilled. Some of the best craftsmen in all of Orario."
Tione added, "High quality means high cost. Even we don't buy their stuff casually."
Aiz nodded once. "Their armor is strong."
Kaelis hummed thoughtfully, understanding now. "I see. That explains it."
Then, "But with prices so high, wouldn't casualties among the rookie or low budget adventurers be high as well? I mean, since they can't afford to buy them."
"Ah—well, that's where the other shops come in! Goibniu's the top-tier stuff, but Orario's full of smaller smiths and hand-me-downs."
"Yeah," Tione said. "Most rookies go for used gear. Plenty of shops buy old armor from higher-level adventurers who upgrade and then sell it cheap. It's not pretty, but it does the job for the first few floors."
Aiz soft voice came from behind, "Some make their own."
Kaelis turned his head. "Make… their own armor?"
Huh. Never thought of that?
But then… how? You can't really expect everyone to be able to make armor—not even wearable ones.
"Mm." Aiz nodded. "Simple pieces. Leather. Basic metal plates."
She paused. "Hard, but possible."
The bubbly Tiona grinned. "Plus, there's the Guild's hand outs. They're not amazing, but they're cheap and safe enough for newbies who don't want to run in wearing just their shirts."
"And if all else fails, they just team up. A lot of beginner parties pool money to buy one decent set of armor for the front-liner and hope they don't get flattened." Tione shrugged.
"That… sounds like a rough life. They might as well open a shop or go run a farm," Kaelis admitted.
"Welcome to Orario," Tione laughed.
Soon they reached the exit of the clothing district, sunlight stretching long across the street.
Kaelis gave the three girls a casual wave.
"Well, ladies. Nice chat, but we've been out all day. Time to call it quits."
Tione stretched her arms above her head. "Same here. We've gotta head home anyway. Got stuff to deal with."
Tiona nodded quickly. "Yeah! We still have that thing to prepare for!"
Aiz gave a small bow.
Bell, ever the polite one, bowed. "Thank you for your time!"
Kaelis and Bell started walking off, and the Loki trio watched them go.
Tiona was waving both arms like she was trying to flag down a ship leaving port.
"Byeeeee! See you around!"
Tione smirked. "Calm down, Tiona. You're waving like he's going to war or something."
Tiona puffed out her cheeks but didn't stop waving. "I'm just being friendly!"
"Oh? Friendly, huh?" Tione leaned in with a teasing grin. "You like him or something?"
Tiona froze mid-wave.
"W–What? I mean… he is handsome! And he's fun to talk to!"
Then she crossed her arms and huffed. "But if he wants to impress me, he'd better beat me first."
Tione laughed. "So you do like him."
"Shut up!"
Aiz watched them with her usual doll-like face curiosity, then slowly lifted her hand for one last tiny wave as Bell and Kaelis disappeared into the crowd.
"I couldn't sense him."
"…You noticed too, huh."
"Noticed what?" Tiona blinked, completely lost.
Tione's mood turned serious, arms folding as she replayed the moment they met in her head.
"His aura," Aiz said quietly. "It wasn't there."
Tione nodded. "Yeah. I could feel the kid—Bell. Level One, clear as day."
Her brows furrowed deeply. "But that man… Kaelis? It was like trying to sense a statue. Nothing. No presence. No weight. Just—empty."
Aiz's eyes lowered slightly.
Tiona blinked again. "…Huh?"
Both Aiz and Tione turned to her with the expression of people speaking to someone who missed the entire conversation despite standing in the middle of it.
Tione sighed. "Tiona. We're saying he has no aura. At all. That's not normal."
"Ohhh…" Tiona finally said—then immediately ruined the moment by smiling.
"Well, I wasn't paying attention! I was looking at his face. And his hair. And—well—you know."
Tione stared at her. "Seriously?"
"What!?"
Tiona then leaned forward eagerly, eyes shining. "Do you think we're gonna meet him again?"
Tione shrugged, but there was a thoughtful edge to her voice. "Maybe. Orario's big. And someone like him?"
Her gaze drifted toward the street Kaelis disappeared into.
"He's bound to show up again."
Chapter 70 end.
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I saw thy last gift of stones—and now I beg anew. More, dear readers… more!