Chapter 61: Opt of Curio Shop

After meeting up with Aria, Shion and Haku return to the royal capital with the breast enlargement medicine in hand.

As they passed through the entrance gate, Shion made one suggestion to Aria.

“Can you take this medicine, Aria?”

“Why? Let’s just go together. Shion’s the one who got it, after all”

“Well, yes, but I want to see the man who was dealing with the witch, and …… what’s more, it would be awkward to use it if I were there, wouldn’t it?”

Ah~, Aria nodded in agreement. In a way, it was a delicate medicine, so she was grateful for the concern.

At this point, they split up and go their separate ways. Shion hurries with Haku to the man who had ties with the Resistance.

‘Curio Shop, right?’

“That’s what the witch told me”

‘I wonder if that man ever goes to the elven village? Or… their friends?’

Shion thinks about the words that Haku continued after ‘Or’.

The cityscape at dusk, illuminated by the setting sun, was beautiful, and some tourists stopped to admire it. Popular restaurants seem to start getting crowded at this time.

A passerby pointed out the location of the largest curio shop, and the duo went there. On the sign, in addition to the name of the store, there was another sentence.

[ Pets and Familiars are not allowed in the store ]

Haku, seeing this, speaks sulkily.

‘I guess I’m not good enough. Yeah, I guess it’s because I smell like a beast. Even familiars are trying their best to live. ……’

“Don’t worry about it. Besides, Haku hardly ever smells”

‘When you say that, it makes it all worthwhile to wash my body every day’

Haku is a white fox who never fails to take care of himself so that he can be hugged by anyone at any time.

At any rate, it was no use trying to force their way to enter the store, so Shion entered the store alone.

Inside, even at this hour, there were many people, and it was indeed the best curio shop in the capital. Large shelves were lined up against the wall, and curiosities were displayed there.

The man who seemed to be the owner of the shop was watching the behavior of the customers from the counter in the back.

From the sharpness of his eyes, Shion could tell he was on the lookout for thieves.

Shion first checked the curiosities on the shelf. There were some relatively rare items such as medicines and ornaments, but as expected, there were no elf ears on display. So he decided to talk to the shopkeeper.

“Are you the owner?”

“Yep”

A young man, no more than thirty years old, replied in an irreverent manner. He is the owner of the best curio shop in the capital. He must be very skilled, or he must have inherited his parents’ achievements.

In addition to asking random questions about curiosities, he’ll mention witches.

“I heard a rumor that there’s an ugly old lady living in a place called the Cave of Ten Paths”

“Nope, ugly was a… well, maybe there’s a rumor about that”

“But the Royal Capital is a nice place. The people seem to be satisfied with their lives. I’m starting to feel like I want to quit traveling and settle down here. I’m sure the king is a wonderful man”

“…… You might be right. So, you’re here to make small talk? If you’re not buying anything, please get out”

Shion left the store as he was turned away.

Haku, who was sitting like a dog, asked him how they reacted and Shion nodded his head.

“The witch’s information is right. They respond well to witches and kings”

‘Whoo! Now let’s go take them down!’

“Oh, come on. Stop acting like you’re doing it on purpose.”

Did you find out? Haku smiled through his teeth. At this time of night, if they beat up their opponents and make them tell all about their misdeeds, they might as well be the ones who are wanted.

“Let’s go to Lineria’s house for now”

‘Right. I’m sure they finished smearing the medicine’

After confirming the store’s business hours, Shion went to Lineria’s house.

He knocked on the front door and was greeted by a tired-looking Aria.

“Ah, you’re finally here. It’s hard for me because my master is so excited. ……”

It was obvious from a glance around the room. She was jumping up and down beside a table full of sumptuous food.

Breast Enlargement Medicine does not have immediate effect. The idea is that if you continue to carefully smear it on your chest every day, your breast will grow in about a month. Naturally, it hasn’t worked yet, but Lineria hugged Shion, seemingly hopeful about the future.

“Thank you! I knew you’d do it. Today, eat your fill!”

“Well, then, I’ll take your word for it”

They all started to eat the large amount of food. With Haku here, it was not impossible to finish the food, but Shion was a little surprised that she had prepared so much.

There was turkey, pork, beef, several kinds of soup, salad, and potatoes. The food was all delicious and showed a high level of culinary taste.

When Shion and Haku praised her for that, Lineria made a very subtle yet smiling face.

“The skills I’ve honed to become a bride …… If I’m not careful, it’s higher than my fighting skills, but, but I’m still unmarried …… In the end, what’s important to a woman is …………”

“Master~, please don’t talk bad about your rival who got married despite being a bad cook today, okay? More importantly, you’re okay being the Hero now, right?”

When her apprentice asked her anxiously, Lineria replied with a thump on her still flat chest.

“Can’t be helped then. I’ll be your substitute for a while”

“Yatta!! I love you, Master!!”

“Fufu ”

“I…I think I heard something that shouldn’t be heard coming from your heart……”

Shion stood up, smiling at the sight of the two people who were so close to each other, though he was not sure if it could be called master and disciple love.

“I’m going to get a little night air”

‘Shall I join you?’

“It’s okay. I’ll go alone”

He waved to Haku, who nodded in acknowledgment and left the house. The sun had completely set, and even in the city, it was hard to walk along the back streets without a lamp.

Shion stopped in front of the tool shop he had left a few hours ago.

The signboard had been put away, so he thought that the business was closed.

After making sure the door was closed, he sank into the darkness and broke inside. The room was dark. But there was a light from a magic lamp in the corner, where that shopkeeper was counting the money.

“Did you make a profit today?”

“WHOA! WHO…Who are you?’

It was natural for him to be startled by the sudden and silent appearance. To avoid putting more pressure on him than necessary, Shion spoke to him from a certain distance.

“I’d like to ask you a few questions. If you answer honestly, I won’t do anything rash”

“…… Before we get to that, how did you get in here?”

“Dark Magic”

The shopkeeper rubbed at his pants, wiping the sweat from his hands.

“You’re Opt, or you should be”

“…”

“Hm? Was I wrong? The witch said that you’re Opt, though”

“Witch, you said…? Who are you, really?”

“Oh, I forgot I haven’t introduced myself. Shion Axe, former Dark Hero, at your service”

Opt was taken aback by this self-introduction. His whole body stiffens, and he even forgets to breathe.

It was such a shock that even the self-imposed rule of first using appraisal magic when encountering a dangerous opponent had now flown far away.