Chapter 63: Heartfelt Bracelet ② – Torquetum
She had slender, deep blue eyes and a finely sculpted face.
Somewhere perfectly in between cute and beautiful.
Tall, her ample chest stood out, nearly spilling out of her slightly soiled work clothes.
Through the strands of her hair, I could see familiar black horns—the horns of a Minos Doll, like those of a bull.
A slender tail with a little knob at the tip swayed behind her.
Could she be a bull-person? And before that… I thought dwarves were only born male.
“Ah, right. Let me introduce her properly. This is my daughter, Kikka.”
“…Um, hi.”
“I’m Wof.”
Kikka-san looked down at me with a puzzled expression.
“Kikka, this boy is the witch’s apprentice.”
“Ah! That one!?”
“Yes, that witch’s apprentice.”
“So… you’re the one I made the knife for before?”
“Knife?”
“The double-edged one.”
“Ah… that knife…”
It was awkward to say. Kikka-san’s narrow eyes narrowed even further.
“What happened to the knife?”
“Ah… Alweld broke it.”
I wasn’t lying.
Kikka-san grunted unhappily.
“Huh? Alweld…?”
“Alweld von Rutvelt. A First-Class Explorer.”
“Called the ‘Crusher of Destruction,’”
She added.
“Hmm… but he looks… aesthetic… super handsome…”
Well, that’s true, as Velent-san had said.
“That guy’s the boss of ‘Coon Hunt.’ Why would you…”
“Well, it’s a long story…”
This is really awkward.
“Ah, by the way, what about the gauntlets?”
“I’ve entrusted them to the witch. She said they could be improved.”
“Oh? That’ll be interesting.”
“…So you went up against a First-Class Explorer?”
Kikka-san asked, glaring at me.
“Y-Yes.”
“Impressive. So… you need a weapon?”
She grinned. I felt relieved.
“I need a knife.”
“How about a sword?”
“I can’t wield swords because of a curse.”
“A curse?”
“Yes.”
“Oh. That’s troublesome.”
“So I can handle knives.”
“Can’t you handle spears or axes?”
Lupinus-san asked.
“I think I could. Spears, not at all; axes, I’ve never really used as weapons. Only for splitting firewood in the village.”
“Then why not try them?”
“Yes… try… life… bring it on.”
“Y-Yes.”
Spears and axes. I’d never thought of using another type of weapon.
“Yeah, but a young boy like you, an axe might be heavy?”
“It’s heavy.”
Splitting firewood had been tough. Using it as a weapon would be difficult.
Kikka-san said,
“Then a spear. Spears are over there, knives on that shelf. And Wof, how much money do you have?”
“About 400,000…”
“Oh my, that’s quite a bit.”
“That would be the reward for the Witch’s Apprentice Knight Attendant.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Come to think of it, Pakira got about the same amount.”
“Huh… rich…”
Wait, it should be 800,000. Thinking that, Pakira-san looked at me knowingly.
“Then, how about armor?”
“Oh, that’s nice.”
“Yeah. As expected of my daughter. Leather plates aren’t too heavy.”
“Plate…?”
Armor, huh. I’d never thought about that.
“Dad, there’s the Crocodile Turtle plate, right?”
“Yes. I think… on the plate shelf…”
Velent-san scratched his head and headed toward the shelf displaying armor.
Meanwhile, Pakira-san brought a few spears and placed them on the empty counter.
“How about these?”
“…This one.”
One caught my eye.
A single-edged wooden spear with no fancy decorations—rugged and simple.
“This one caught my attention.”
“Oh, so that’s the one you like?”
Kikka-san gave a challenging smile.
“This is the one I’m most drawn to.”
“Hmm. Indeed, it feels different from the other spears.”
“Wooden handle… high-quality feel… custom-made…”
“Wof-san, are you a connoisseur?”
“No, I just happened to be drawn to it.”
The wooden handle alone made it unusual. Most others were metal. It also had a unique single-edged arrowhead shape.
“It’s not exactly cursed, but there’s a reason for it.”
“Some kind of story behind it?”
“Not too much, but there’s a reason. I made it at someone’s request, but they died before they could receive it.”
“Ah… I see.”
“I took the deposit, so I couldn’t just leave it lying around.”
“True.”
“It’s unfortunate, but I put it up for sale. It doesn’t sell much, though.”
“How much?”
“6,000 Oro.”
“Cheap.”
“Actually, it should be more, but it hasn’t sold. That’s why it’s still here.”
“Can I take it?”
“Sure.”
I lifted the spear. Lighter than expected. The handle length is fine. 6,000, huh? Alright, I’ll buy it.
“Every time. Its name is ‘Mokusen’ (Wood Flash).”
‘Mokusen,’ huh. I also got a custom spear tip cover and holder as a bonus.
Then I carefully selected three knives and purchased them.
A simple straight double-edged knife.
A saw-toothed knife.
A thick, slightly curved kukri knife.
Pakira-san and the others each bought one knife as well—a pristine white knife, to serve as a symbol of ‘Torquetum.’
“Velent-san is late.”
He hadn’t returned after going to check the stock since the item wasn’t on the shelf.
“Dad, went to the back and hasn’t come back. I’ll go check.”
Kikka-san went toward the back of the store as well.
We waited, but there was plenty to do—looking at weapons and armor, so it wasn’t boring.
“Oh, right. Everyone, could you close your eyes and extend your arms?”
“Huh?”
“What is it?”
“Hm…”
Puzzled, they tilted their heads but obediently closed their eyes and held out their arms.
I took three items from my pouch and put one on each of them.
Since I was putting them on carefully, I ended up holding or brushing their hands a little.
“W-what’s this?”
“It’s ticklish.”
“…Pervert.”
“S-sorry. That’s enough.”
When they opened their eyes, they widened them at what they saw.
Pakira-san had a bracelet with a white band and a blue gemstone.
Liv-san had a pink band with a red gemstone.
Lupinas-san had a gold band with a white gemstone.
“W-what is this?”
“It’s a bracelet.”
“I understand that, but…”
“It’s beautiful.”
“Ah… so cute…”
Each of them reacted in their own way.
“This is a token of my gratitude for all the help you’ve given me. Please accept it.”
“M-mmm, is it really okay?”
“It’s very lovely, but…”
“…Rather, we’re the ones who’ve been helped…”
I said this to the confused members of Torquetum.
“I’ve received so much help from all of you too. I’d be happy if you accepted this.”
They exchanged glances and nodded slightly at my words.
“Hmm, indeed.”
“I’m very happy.”
“Ah… I like it…”
“B-but—”
“?”
“…Uh, discussion… time…”
“Oh, okay.”
What? Torquetum had formed a circle and was whispering.
“W-what!”
“Y-you’re saying… that…?”
“You…”
“What are you saying?”
“Um… Lupinas is…”
“M-mmm…”
“Is that… the best… really? I did want to thank you, but…”
“B-but…”
“You trust Lupinas… and Pakira and Lupinas are…?”
“Not exactly.”
“Yes, not exactly.”
“Then… no problem.”
“Then… Lupinas…”
“Yes, Pakira.”
“Mm… let’s… give thanks.”
Oh, this knife. Nice. This is for Ens-san.
“Wof.”
“Wof-san.”
“Boy.”
“Y-Yes.”
Hearing our names called in unison made my heart skip a beat.
Pakira-san, for some reason, fidgeted and said,
“Uh, thank you for the bracelet. This is my way of saying thanks.”
She gently pressed her lips to my right cheek.
“Eh… Pakira-san…?”
Pakira-san lowered her head, her face—and even her cat ears and tail—bright red.
“Wof-san, I will also give thanks for your gratitude.”
“Lupinas-san?.”
Lupinus-san pressed her lips to my left cheek, then turned away. Her pointed ears were bright red.
I was stunned when Lupinas-san moved, and then Liv-san stepped directly in front of me.
“…The main act… appears…”
“Liv-san.”
“Mm… close your eyes… it won’t hurt…”
“Eh, wait, your face is really close! Why are you holding my cheeks with both hands? And why are my eyes closed?”
“Mm… it’s okay… if I count the ceiling stains… it’ll be over…”
“What are you saying, wait—”
Liv-san’s soft pink lips touched mine… ah.
“What the heck are you doing!?”
“I can’t let that slide!”
“Ouch…”
Pakira-san lightly chops Liv-san on the head, and Lupinas-san steps back.
“You guys are relentless.”
“Truly.”
“…Mmm… failed…”
Liv-san muttered, disappointed. Seeing those glossy pink lips made my heart race.
“Ah, sorry. The plates were out of stock.”
“My bad. Hm? What’s with you guys?”
Velent-san and Kikka-san returned.
“Nothing,”
We said.