Nagai Koto c7

「Well I’m here to pick out a weapon. But, nothing really stands out right away.」 (Velt)

To be frank, when it comes to swords and spears, I’ve never touched a real one before, though I do have experience with wooden swords. In any case, in order to get used to it, I’m not sure how many years of training I’ll have to go through. In any case, I should choose something that’s easy to handle and that I’m familiar with.

「Asakura, what sort of style did you fight with」 (Melma)

「Ooh, you’re pretty unusual.」 (Melma)

「Hmmm, I see～ Have any experience fighting with weapons then?」 (Melma)

「A baton? Is that really how you’ve been carrying yourself?!」 (Melma)

「Nonsense! The point is, like I said, a kid will be using a weapon that I’m selling!」 (Shopkeeper)

Well, that’s how it is. Since I wanted to smoke in high school one of my senpais bought it for me. But, even then I didn’t leave.

「Hey, old man. I’m asking you. In this world I’m trying to get strong enough to protect my family and childhood friend. Especially since I don’t know when the demons and demi-humans are going to come and attack with their armies.」 (Velt)

Everything was a lie. But, it’s better to reason with the geezer. However, the old man had a weak response.

「Fu~n, you’re a pretty cheeky brat for saying these things aren’t you? As far as how much you’ve fought through, you should know this country’s army isn’t weak.」 (Shopkeeper)

「Even then, kid, come and stand over here for a bit.」 (Shopkeeper)

「Haa? What the hell are you saying all of a sudden? Or rather, what the hell can you see with your eyes you senile old man?」 (Velt)

「Resolution?」 (Velt)

「What was that?」 (Shopkeeper)

「That hurts, sensei, don’t hit me.」 (Velt)

「No, well that’s true, but nonetheless.」 (Velt)

Sensei also got mad at me.

「Well, nothing I can do, I’ll come again another day.」 (Velt)

Back in my life as Asakura Ryuuma, the old lady at the store calmly let me buy dirty books at the bookstore, but that doesn’t seem to apply in this world. Although I say that, it’d be unreasonable to do so as in actuality I haven’t even found a suitable weapon yet. From here, I suppose I could only obediently leave, and as I did,

「Oh? If I’m not mistaken is that Velt over there?」 (????)

Suddenly a childish voice called out to me. As I turned my head, there was a young boy wearing trousers and a white shirt covered with a purple mantle.

「It’s Shalt, yo.」 (Velt)

「Yaa, fancy meeting you here, something happen?」 (Shalt)

「He’s a classmate of mine at the magic school. He’s the son of the kingdom’s strongest, General Taira. Although he’s weak he’s the magic school’s top student. He got along with my parents, and is more or less an acquaintance.」 (Velt)

He’s pretty much a classmate. There’s nothing particularly special between us.

「Calling me weak, isn’t that a bit mean, Velt? At any rate, what are you doing here?」 (Shalt)

「Haha, today is papa’s day off. I came here to get a preview of my weapon.」 (Shalt)

「Ta-Taira!」 (Velt)

「It’s not particularly like we’re friends or anything, they’re just people I know. Because of Forna, I’ve somehow become well-known.」 (Velt)

「As usual you’re a pretty twisted kid.」 (Taira)

I’m the son of a simple farmer yet I had these over-the-top connections. It wasn’t unreasonable for sensei to be shocked.

「Speaking of which, I remember seeing the princess. When I was on the way here with papa, we passed by her. You guys weren’t with her?」 (Shalt)

「You really are selfish aren’t you. One day, you’re going to become part of the royalty in this country, so you should at least have a bit of composure when the time comes, right?」 (Shalt)

?

「Shalt, why is it that I’m going to become part of the royalty?」 (Velt)

「Oi, why are you saying that with such a serious look?」 (Velt)

「What?? I didn’t friggin' do something like thatー...... Wait, could what I said have been interpreted like that?」 (Velt)

I did say that I’d marry her if she became a good woman, but was this taken as an actual proclamation?

「I've heard of it too. From the maids to the guards in the castle, even the king was talking about it happily.」 (Taira)

This is a problem. From parent to child, why were they all smiling?!

「Well, you should think of taking responsibility as a man. When you become the king, Shalt will have become a general right? If that were to happen, this country would be safe.」 (Taira)

And this is the bad part about this country. From the nobles to the top brass of the army, even though our societal positions were separated like heaven and earth, there was no such thing as a fixation on one’s social status. Normally, something like a peasant becoming the king would be taken as a joke, otherwise causing a disturbance. Nonetheless, right now it seemed that starting from Taira and Shalt, everyone was wickedly letting out their true feelings.

「Hey, Asakura, is it better for me to from now on start selling (ramen) to you with flattery?」 (Melma)

「How difficult, since we’ve met after such a long time, let’s go and eat cake after this.」 (Shalt)

「Let’s have a look.」 (Taira)

What?

「WAIT A SECOOOOOOOND! What the hell’s the meaning of this, old man?! You gave your opinion earlier but now you’re selling weapon to a noble’s son?! That’s bullshit! He’s also ten year’s old!」 (Velt)

「Fufu, could it be frivolous circumstances you can’t talk about?」 (Taira)

It’s embarrassing so I’m not going to talk about the situation. Or rather, if I told them my reason, Forna would beat me up. But, Taira was interested in something and took a little look at my condition,

「Alright, Velt. Just for a bit will you show me how far you’re willing to go?」 (Taira)

「It’s a connection from you being my son’s friend. If you’re able to land a single hit on Shalt, then I’ll grant your wish. How’s that? Won’t you show me your resolution?」 (Taira)

Not good. It's following the most annoying pattern

Chapter end