The next morning after Hayato and the others’ prepaid stay at the inn ended, we decided it would be nice to have them stay at my house instead.
For some reason I woke up early, so I gently lifted Shiro off my stomach where she was sleeping, took a morning bath by myself to freshen up, and then did not feel like going back to sleep. I thought I might as well go to the morning market, when an unexpected person woke up.
「Surprising…… You are quite the early riser.」
「It just happened. Letty, you are also up pretty early, aren’t you?」
The sun has only just started to rise and the sky is beginning to brighten.
Staying up late is bad for your skin, you know.
「……It just happened for me too.」
「I see. By the way, you are wearing going-out clothes. Are you not going back to sleep?」
「Yes. I was thinking of taking a walk around here. Are you going out too?」
「Yeah. I woke up and could not fall back asleep. I was thinking of going to the morning market. Wendy said that since Einzheil became a country, the morning market has more variety and is more interesting now. Want to come with me, Letty?」
「The morning market…… Sure. I will go with you.」
And so, I ended up going to the morning market with Letty.
Come to think of it, this is the second time I am going to the morning market with Letty.
With that in mind.
『Woke up early so I’m going to check out the morning market. Itsuki』
『I will accompany him as his escort. Letty』
I left a note behind.
Yeah. It is important to avoid misunderstandings.
And thank you for the escort! Sorry for being so weak!
Letty is the mage in Hayato’s party, after all.
I will be counting on her!
Well, there are no clear enemies right now, so I think it will be fine!
But we might still run into some weird people!
-0-
「Hmm…… Nnn…… Even a city this lively is quiet at this hour.」
「Yeah. Only the hard workers are up right now, so it’s quiet.」
I can hear the rattling of horse carts and hand carts in the distance, but the residential area is still asleep, so it really is peaceful.
That means the two of us who are awake right now are also hard workers. Heh heh.
「Where are we going first?」
「For starters, to my favorite vegetable seller.」
「Come to think of it, this is the second time we are going to the morning market together. Are we going to the same lady as last time?」
「Yeah, yeah. I am planning to go to the usual lady’s stall first, then the butcher, and after that look around for anything interesting.」
「Understood. Then I will follow you, so please escort me properly.」
Escort…… What exactly am I?
Letty may not look it, but she is a noble.
A noble lady……escort?
「……Shall I take your hand?」
「That is fine! ……Besides, I am not expecting proper noble escort etiquette from you!」
「Phew…… I would have been in trouble if you were. Ah, but I can manage if it is Iris. She used to be royalty, after all.」
「……Normally that would be the more difficult one.」
Not really.
With Iris, I can just bring out ice cream and everything will work out somehow.
If there is no ice cream, sweets should be enough to keep her happy.
「Hmmn…… Haa. I like the morning air. It somehow feels even cleaner than usual.」
「I can understand that. Well, compared to the air in our original world, it always feels clean here.」
「Was the air in your world that bad?」
「Ah…… It depends on the place? The countryside is not so bad, but the city centers were pretty terrible.」
Explaining things like car exhaust and factory smoke is a bit difficult, but compared to here, the air over there was definitely worse.
First of all, there is overwhelmingly more nature here.
-0-
While I was thinking about that, we quickly arrived at the vegetable seller auntie’s stall in the north district.
「Oh my, if it isn’t the alchemist onii-san! It has been a while! You brought another beauty with you again. Ara, it is the same person I saw before. What a lady-killer!」
「I agree she is a beauty, but like I told you last time, she is my friend’s lover. Don’t start any weird rumors.」
「Wha!? ……Hayato’s lover. W-Well, that is true, but……」
「Ara, your reaction is different from last time. Which means…… things have progressed, haven’t they, young lady?」
Last time was before we went to the royal capital.
TN: Part 1 was V4 Chapter 6
Quite a bit of time has passed since then, so of course things would have progressed.
If they had not, I would make Letty and Hayato sit in seiza when we get back.
It would be time for a meddlesome lecture.
「So, what will you be buying today?」
「Hmm, for now just a bit of everything? And if there is anything interesting, I would like to see that too.」
「Here you go. The tomatoes are especially good today. As for interesting things…… we have some mushrooms. If you eat this one, you won’t be able to stop laughing.」
「That is a poisonous mushroom! Don’t keep something like that on display……」
「It tastes good, you know. And it is not poisonous. Once you cook it properly the effect stops right away. It gives you energy when you are feeling down.」
Eating a mushroom to feel energetic…… Is that really okay?
Still, does this poisonous-looking mushroom actually taste good……?
Its color is blue-purple with orange spots……
「Well…… If it is not poisonous, I will take some.」
「Here you go. Reinrich-sama buys them often, so they should be useful for alchemy too, right?」
……Reinrich buys them often?
Doesn’t that make it even more likely to be a poisonous mushroom?
「All right…… Is this amount about right?」
「Two small wooden boxes. Yeah, that should be good.」
「Got it! Thank you for always buying so much. I’ll go calculate the total.」
This time I bought fewer leafy greens and more tomatoes.
Wow, they really are as good as she said. They are plump, firm, and look deliciously fresh.
「……You still buy in such large quantities.」
「Well, I can preserve as much as I want.」
「That skill really is enviable. I looked into it after the previous time, but I still could not understand most of it.」
Come to think of it, she did ask if she could learn space magic.
And she actually researched it……
「Here you go! Please come again!」
「Yeah. I’ll be back!」
I put the vegetables into the magic bag that was disguised as a normal bag, then we headed to the butcher next.
「……No complimentary service this time? What happened to your cheap love?」
「My love has already been fully conveyed. I’m already receiving plenty of service. Here, freshly picked tomato.」
「Eh? We are going to eat while walking?」
「Yep. This is my idea of an escort.」
In the original world, eating while walking was sometimes seen as bad manners except in certain places, but in this world it is a common sight, so I do not mind doing it.
Well, it is probably not something to recommend to a noble like Letty, but since they are freshly picked, I want to eat them while they are still at their freshest.
「What kind of escort is that supposed to be?」
「Hmm…… I thought the noble ladies I know would enjoy it.」
By the way, the ones I am referring to are Raz and Cran.
Those two would probably say something like 『That’s bad mannerss～!』 and 『But it feels kind of cool～!』 while happily biting into the tomato.
「Normally people would not be happy about that! Well…… I will allow it this time. Nn…… It is sweet.」
「It really is like fruit, right? Shiro will eat the tomatoes from that stall too.」
Shiro often says she does not want the leaves, so she probably especially dislikes green leafy vegetables.
Yeah. These have nice thickness and taste great. I suck up the juice so it does not drip and keep eating.
I toss the stem and the root end into the magic space to throw away later.
-0-
Now then, time to reach the butcher.
「Hey, old man～」
「Hmmn? Oh, it’s you, nii-chan! Been a while! Oh? You brought another beauty with you again…… Wait, isn’t that lady Count Hayato’s sweetheart!?」
「……」
「That’s right. You remembered well, old man. So, be careful how you talk, okay?」
「O-Oh…… Wait a second? Since Einzheil became independent, the kingdom is now a foreign country…… Count Hayato is a noble of the kingdom. So there’s no need to be so careful, right?」
「Old man, you’re an idiot. Even if it’s a foreign country, you still have to show respect to nobles. Besides, Hayato is a hero, you know? Are you really going to look down on a hero who fought for the world……?」
「Whoa, don’t get the wrong idea. I’m a good, ordinary citizen who shows proper respect to heroes. Oh, right, right! Today I got in something perfect for a hero. I actually wanted to eat it myself, but…… I don’t mind sharing some with you.」
「Hmmn? What is it, what is it? I’m curious now.」
「Fufufu. Prepare to be shocked when you hear it, shocked when you see it! Shocked when you roast it, shocked when you eat it! It’s the highest-class deer…… Diiiiaaa!」
……Diiiiaaa? Deer?
Um, if it does not have Black or King attached, is it just regular deer……?
He just said “deer” in a dramatic pro-wrestler way, but is that actually the official name?
Is Diiiiaaa the official name?
「W-Well, it’s deer meat, right?…… Is it good?」
「Fufufu. It’s so delicious it’ll blow your mind! Especially roast Diiiiaaa is exceptional! I also sell a sauce that goes perfectly with it…… What do you say?」
「Hmmn…… Well, since you went through the trouble, I’ll take some. After that, the usual Black Moam and…… King Piggle as well. Ah, of course give me the good cuts. There are more people today, so make it a generous amount.」
「Got it! Man, you always take all the good stuff, bro. Even though the country got bigger and we have more customers, business is still tough.」
「You complain even though you caught such a generous and honest customer. If you’re going to say that, maybe I should hold back next time.」
This butcher does not handle insects, and the old man has a good sense of humor, so I like the place……
But when he says it like that, I have no choice.
Yeah, yeah, it cannot be helped.
「Whoa, that won’t do! You account for thirty percent of our sales, bro. I’m grateful, really. So…… the total comes to sixty-three…… Ah, let’s make it six hundred thousand nohl.」
「I also appreciate this shop for not dealing in insects. Thanks for the discount. I’ll come buy again.」
「Yeah! Put in a good word with Count Hayato for me too!」
The shop owner even came outside to wave us off.
I can ask, but since Hayato lives in the royal capital, I do not think he will become a regular customer here.
「……Hey, this is not a month’s worth of food, is it?」
「No. Probably just a few days’ worth.」
「Isn’t your food budget ridiculously high every month?」
「I get discounts because I buy in bulk, so it is not that bad…… Well, maybe it still is. But this world is at fault for having so many delicious things. The food here is expensive, but there is so much good stuff!」
「Spending this much on food every month…… Doesn’t that mess with your sense of money?」
My sense of money might be getting a little warped, but I want to eat delicious things.
If it tastes good, that is all that matters. As long as it is delicious!
Besides, if I spend too wastefully, Wendy will warn me.
If I really want something, she will allow it if I insist, so I am grateful for that.
「Hey there, generous onii-san! Freshly caught caterpilas are——」
「I don’t want insects!!!」
「Hii!」
Muu. Must be a new merchant who just arrived in town.
I see. When the population grows, this kind of downside appears too.
The morning market merchants who know me in this city are aware that I will never buy insects, but this one probably did not know. Sorry for shouting all of a sudden! But I will absolutely, positively never buy insects!
「You are very firm about it. Is it because of what happened when we first met?」
「Well, that is part of the trauma, but I have always disliked insects. I was fine with them as a child, but once I became an adult I just could not stand them anymore…… Especially the big ones…… the big ones, you know……」
「Hmm. Well, the appearance of a caterpilas is definitely gross.」
「Right? Why do they have to be so huge……? It is too mysterious……」
I do not know what the largest insect in the original world was, but it definitely was not the size of a human.
If there were insects as big as people, I think all of humanity should be armed.
「……You really haven’t changed at all.」
「Ehh…… I still hate insects, but I think I’ve grown at least a little, haven’t I?」
「That is not what I mean. The atmosphere? Or rather, the feeling you give off. That has not changed.」
「Hmmn? I do not really understand, but is that something that changes so drastically?」
「Is it not? You otherworlders possess powerful abilities, so I thought you would change more easily.」
「Powerful abilities, huh……」
When she said that, I casually activated 『Pocket Money』.
-0-
Today was a miso day, so I caught the small jar that fell.
Since it is miso…… cucumber should go well.
I cut off a little from the stem end…….
Ah, I must not forget to remove the hard part where the stem was attached.
「Here. Powerful ability miso cucumber.」
「……I think your space magic is more of a unique skill than that. Well, I will accept it. Nn…… Good texture. The saltiness and the fresh cucumber make it refreshing. It is a wild way to eat, but it is delicious.」
This time Letty honestly accepted it and took a big, crunchy bite out of the cucumber.
It is probably not very noble-like, but if it tastes good, that is what matters!
Unfortunately, double-dipping is forbidden.
Well, since the miso is salty, one whole stick should be fine.
「……You always make light of things like that. You really have not changed. Well, perhaps Hayato, Chris, and the others find that unchanging part of you comfortable.」
「What is this all of a sudden?」
Why is she suddenly praising me?
Does she want me to buy something for her?
Or has she become addicted to the powerful ability miso cucumber?
「I am grateful, you know. When I look at you, my small worries start to feel ridiculous, and I feel like I should just enjoy the present.」
「This…… does not sound like praise, does it?」
「Ara, I am praising you.」
Liar! Where is the praise in making my worries seem stupid just by looking at me!
Hah! Letty is a classic flat-chested tsundere.
So this is another tsundere moment!
「You are thinking something rude right now, aren’t you?」
「……I’m not thinking anything.」
That is right.
The dere side of a tsundere is only shown to Hayato, after all.
Hyuu, so passionate! But please do not actually try to shoot fire magic! We are in the middle of the city!!
「Your face shows everything too clearly. If you plan to tease me any more, I will burn you, you know?」
「I’m very sorry!」
「Ufufu…… Haaa. Hey, is this kind of thing all right?」
「……Yeah, I think that is just fine.」
「Fufu…… You are surprisingly quick to catch on.」
Well, I am not the dense type, after all.
I had noticed that Letty was trying to act the same as always.
Precisely because she is the other person involved, she must have been making an effort to respond to my wish.
Letty is relatively skilled and surprisingly mature and reliable on the inside.
And by coming to the morning market together, the final adjustments seem to have been made.
For me, that is actually more welcome and makes things easier, so I am grateful.
「Then, shall we get to the real morning market? I heard interesting things from the republic have arrived…… It would be nice if we can make it back by lunchtime!」
「By lunchtime? Just how much are you planning to walk around!? ……Well, fine. I will follow you, so escort me properly.」
Yes, yes.
Taking her hand…… is not necessary, right.
Then make sure to stay close.
If we get separated in the crowd or if you focus too much on the goods, you might not notice.
Before that though…… I take one tomato out of the magic space and slowly toss it upward from below.
「……Nn.」
A white shadow instantly catches the tomato in mid-air with a sharp smack, spins once, and lands neatly on the ground.
It was Shiro, looking a little sleepy while biting into the tomato.
Well, I knew she was following us, but why was she hiding?
「Shiro!? You were following us!?」
「Hmm……? Nn.」
「If this girl was here, I did not need to act as escort at all. Honestly……」
「Hmm……? You were going to shoot magic in the middle of the city?」
「I can adjust that much! Do not underestimate me just because I am in Hayato’s party!」
「Hmm. Wendy, Chris, and the others are also coming to the morning market later.」
「I see. Then we might meet up while we are looking around.」
With that, we continued shopping, and before long Wendy, Chris, Hayato, and Mii joined us, so we all went around the morning market together.
There, Hayato and I managed to get our hands on some large shrimp from the republic. We danced with joy at the thought of being able to make shrimp tempura soba.
-0-
AN: With this, the things I left unfinished in Volume 12 are finally wrapped up.
Now then! After talking a little about Einzheil, shall we head to the Yggdra Great Forest!
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