Chapter 78

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"Al, we're leaving the capital tomorrow, okay?"

"Really!? Then we can go back to the Coirat village, right?"

After finishing breakfast at the inn, a single word from Father Nord made the morning drowsiness vanish.

We had already seen the Dragon Slayer play, and thanks to the transfer, we could come to the capital anytime.

I had no lingering attachment to the capital. Rather, I was desperately missing the peaceful and tranquil Coirat village. I couldn't move around freely here.

"Yeah, that's right."

"Yes, finally."

Not only was I happy, but Father Nord and Mother Elna also looked genuinely pleased.

After the exchange meeting ended, they had been busy going to various houses. Most of it was related to Father Nord, but I was dragged along a few times.

At those times, I would stick close to Mother Elna and take it easy. If there weren't any high-ranking nobles, the tea parties were quite relaxed.

"There's no point in staying in the capital any longer. We'll just be invited to tea parties and balls, and mixed into the knights' training, which is tiring."

"Yes, I won't have to attend tea parties with the ladies anymore."

The Slowlett family, located far from the capital, rarely participated in capital parties.

So, nobles who wanted to form ties with the Slowlett family would invite them to parties while they were in the capital.

Even though it's a rural area, the Slowlett family has recently become quite wealthy.

In other words, they are rare characters.

"So, after we pack up, we'll go shopping today."

"Shopping?"

"Shopping!?"

The one who spoke with such enthusiasm, drowning out my words, was the maid Mina. She was a stark contrast to Sara, who was quietly clearing the dishes.

"Can Sara and I go shopping too!?"

She approached Father Nord with an excited tone.

Sara, who heard Mina's voice, stopped her movements and looked at her with a slightly hopeful gaze.

She's so cute.

"Of course, you can. You can spend the day as you like."

"Yay!"

Mina, who received a day off from Father Nord, was overjoyed.

Her innocent and carefree attitude made everyone feel helpless.

Then, everyone looked at me after looking at Mina and sighed regretfully.

What's wrong? Do they think I'm so jaded?

"So, is there something you want to buy?"

It's rare for Father Nord, who has little desire for material things, to suggest going shopping.

"Things like magic tools that Baltro asked for, and some clothes for myself. The clothes I use for training are getting worn out. And maybe some souvenirs for everyone."

Ah, I remember Baltro saying he wanted a new fire magic tool. He said it might be useful for cooking. He asked me to look at it, but I completely forgot.

As for the clothes, I have to deal with Sister Elinora.

I suggested reducing the number of training sessions.

"We haven't had the chance to shop leisurely since we came to the capital. I want to look around too."

Mother Elna pouted.

Indeed, it wouldn't be bad to go shopping with the family on the last day.

Still, souvenirs. I thought it wouldn't be a problem since we can come back anytime with the transfer, but I feel like Sister Elinora would be angry if I returned to the manor empty-handed.

The gift for Emma is important. I need to give her something nice as a token of gratitude for all her help.

Toll? I can just give Toll a rusty sword or something. That's enough for him.

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After finishing our preparations for departure, we came to the main street in the west.

This is a place where many shops selling slightly expensive items are lined up.

It's not as upscale as the noble district, but there are many people wearing quality clothes and patrolling knights walking around.

"The weather is nice today."

"Yeah. On such a nice day, I could sing—"

"Don't sing. That's a dramatized version, not reality."

When I teased him lightly, Father Nord's cheerful smile turned into a pressured and eerie smile.

How can the same smile have such different impressions?

"Wow, there are so many high-end stores."

"Really."

"Sara, you're being so stiff even though it's your day off."

"Yes, it is my day off."

I hadn't heard Sara's less formal way of speaking in a long time. In the manor, she usually speaks formally. When I was a baby, her way of speaking was softer.

By the way, Mina and Sara aren't very familiar with the capital, so they will be shopping with us in the morning.

"Are you listening, Al?"

"Yeah, I'm listening."

While Father Nord was talking about how he doesn't do such things, Mother Elna was seriously checking out the stores.

"Mother Elna! Father Nord said that dress would suit you!"

"Oh, really? Let's go in!"

When I pointed to a random clothing store, Mother Elna dragged Father Nord in.

"Hey, Al!?"

"Perfect. That store has men's clothes too."

Ha ha ha, with men's clothes, Father Nord can't escape.

"Al, you're coming too!"

I was smirking at Father Nord, but Mother Elna came back and grabbed my arm.

"Ugh!? I'm fine with wearing hand-me-downs from Silvio!"

"Don't be silly. We have money, so don't be cheap!"

"Ugh!"

In the end, we were dragged into the clothing store by Mother Elna, both of us.

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"…Father Nord…"

"……"

No good, no response. Father Nord seems to have lost a lot of his spirit.

His eyes were lifeless when I looked at him.

It had been about two hours since we entered the first clothing store.

Father Nord and I were already mentally exhausted and were slumped on a bench.

It seems that even in this world, women's shopping takes a long time.

Looking around, there were other men slumped on benches.

I noticed a lethargic young man who I had sat next to during a meeting with Eric, carrying several bags. His expression was even more lifeless than before. His lethargic girlfriend was probably still shopping. I'll leave them be.

I'm only seven years old. My body grows quickly, so I just need to choose comfortable and easy-to-move-in clothes.

I was turned into a dress-up doll by Mother Elna and the female store clerk, but it was over relatively quickly.

For some reason, they said I looked good in commoner and farmer clothes.

Since I'm a child, as long as the clothes are easy to move in, it's fine even if they're plain.

However, Father Nord's clothes were too high-quality.

The clerk, a fan of Father Nord, called out "What a waste!" when she learned he usually doesn't dress up, and called other clerks over. Mother Elna joined in, and Father Nord was subjected to an endless series of outfit changes.

Being a handsome and well-built man, Father Nord could pull off any outfit, pleasing Mother Elna and the clerk.

During the fashion show, which took much longer than mine, I bought a few souvenirs for Brother Silvio at a nearby bookstore. I bought adventure stories, mystery novels, and a Dragon Slayer book for myself. I plan to read them thoroughly when I get back.

When I thought it was finally over, it wasn't.

After the outfit changes, Father Nord was made to accompany Mother Elna in choosing her clothes.

He made the correct choices to Mother Elna's "Which one do you think is better?" question, which is a hellish question.

Being able to choose the already decided option in Mother Elna's mind, he truly is a husband.

By the way, I chose the opposite.

If I were Father Nord, I think I would have made Mother Elna look unsatisfied rather than pleased.

Women's clothing choices are really difficult.

Finally, the women came out of the store. The clerk, with a satisfied smile, bowed deeply to see them off.

They must have sent the clothes to the inn, as they weren't carrying any.

How much did they buy? It's terrifying that it took two hours at the first store. Will we even make it back to the inn today?

"…Father Nord, it's finally over."

"…Yeah, it's finally over."

I shook his shoulder, and the exhausted Father Nord managed to stand up.

Father Nord looked unusually fragile.

"Next, we're going to the store across the street. They have accessories too!"

Mother Elna waved and led Mina and Sara into the store across the street, looking cheerful.

The women's smiles were blinding. I don't want to ruin such a joyful atmosphere.

There's no way I can go on a separate path from Father Nord.

"…Al, let's go."

"…Okay."

Father Nord and I stood up again and headed to the clothing store.

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