NOVEL WEB Chapter 7: 006
"…And that is all that happened." Wilhelm said as he recounted all of the events that had happened. At this, Asta could not help but ask, "What did you show them for them to act like this?" as he pointed at the group of bandits where one part was injured to the point that they were not talking and the other group was looking in the air aimlessly.
"Well…I showed them a girl of age 10 with a broken bleeding jaw, no eyes, and rotten skin who took one of their friends by the leg and snatched him leaving him screaming."
"Hmm…but how did they get like…this?" Yami said as he pointed at those who were scared beyond belief. "Just seeing a ghost will not scare them out of their minds kid. At most, scare them like it did with this other half."
"Oh, I used scent to increase their fear, which might have caused…this." Wilhelm said as realization set in him.
Taking a once over at him, Magma, Asta, and Noelle, without worrying about Luck who ditched reporting about the mission, Yami said, "All of you did well for your first mission. I will have Finral send these bandits to Royal Capital and I will report the people you (Magma, Asta, and Noelle) met in your mission. You are free to do as you wish for the rest of the day." He said shrugging them off and leaving the room with his sword slung over his shoulder, leaving the rest behind.
"…"
"So…what now?" Asta asked breaking the silence in the room.
"I will go and study things regarding my magic." Wilhelm said as he was about to move, followed by Noelle who said, "I will practice my water magic as a royal should." Noelle said flipping her ponytail back.
"Aii! None of that! All of us will go and spend our money on things we should." Magma said as he hugged both Wilhelm and Asta close the former of which squirmed in its place, and when Noelle was about to leave the room to not be roped up in their shenanigans, she was jumped by Vanessa.
"Yeah! That's a good idea~" She said in a tipsy tone, moving Noelle's face to her bosom.
"Ah, no." Wilhelm said as he turned into glass shards and appeared in another place in the room.
"Can you stop doing that? It is annoying."
"No." Wilhelm whispered to Magma near his ear as his present figure turned to glass shards which caused Magma to jump in fright.
"Seriously, stop doing that. And come with us." Magma said as his glasses shone with a brilliant light.
"Yeah Wilhelm, come with us~" Vanessa said as she dragged Noelle close to Wilhelm who looked like a Hamster as she felt Vanessa's goods on her face.
"*Sigh* What do you even want to buy?" Wilhelm asked looking at Vanessa, and threw a short amused glance at Noelle who seemed much too enamored by the 'gift' bestowed on her face.
'Oh my, is this how it is going to be? Beauty and the 'I am a Royal'.
Well, I for one am full of it.
Maybe I should push for it.
Who knows, maybe it will give me enough brownie points to join in the 'nightly battles'.'
Wilhelm thought with a lecherous face underneath his calm look.
Despite the way he acts, Wilhelm happens to have an…active imagination if we are being family-friendly.
"Oh, I don't know, maybe window shopping and buy it if something catches my eye and something special to help Noelle with her training." Vanessa said, and when Magma heard the word 'Window Shopping' he shivered visibly, an action shared by Wilhelm who got traumatized remembering window shopping that he had been a part of in his original world.
He had half of a mind to reject it then and there but thought about the thing Vanessa was talking about.
'Wait, the thing she is talking about to control magic, could it be a catalyst like a wand or staff? But they are illegal to be sold to anyone other than a Royal or Noble. Then she must be talking about buying it from the black market. It won't harm visiting it. Maybe I will get a staff of my own. It will help me fight in close quarters if someone who is able to deal with my illusion comes out.'
With this thought, Wilhelm looked at the expectant, urging, and thirsty(Noelle) eyes of the people and said with a resigned look, "Okay, fine, let's go."
"YEAAHHH!!!" Magma shouted.
"Yeah!" Asta followed.
"Nah, you gotta put more force into it. Say it like, 'YEAAAAAAHHHH!!'"
"YEAHHH!!"
"YEAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!"
"YEAYHHHH!!"
"Well, you have potential Shirmpasta."
…
After taking care of their affairs in the base, Black Bull left for the market hitching a ride with Finral who was going on to complete his latest mission.
Get turned down by every single girl in the Royal Capital.
Getting out of the portal, Vanessa turned to Finral and said, "Then good bye Finral. Best of luck."
"Thanks, Vanessa, and best of luck Wilhelm and Asta. You are going to need it." Finral quipped back.
"Hey, what do you mean by that?" With a frown at which Finral just laughed and wisely backed away.
"Okay boys, let's roll out."
"No." Vanessa said sharply at Magma's carefree tone, and then at his inquisitive look explained, "I am not letting these boys go with you to gamble and lose money. Just because you can't be saved, then it does not mean these boys can't be saved. I am not going to let them throw their lives away."
"Said the drunkard."
"Retorted soon to be a penniless virgin."
And this way they started to bicker within themselves.
"Are you not going to stop them?" Noelle asked.
"Nope."
"Wait, where did you get something to eat from?" She asked Wilhelm who was munching on some snack. Looking at her, he asked, "Do you want some?"
"Ah, ow!"
Asta's anti-bird pecked his hand as he offered her as the food.
"You damned bird. One of these days I am going to eat you good." He said with such determination that the Anti-bird decided against attacking her for her safety.
Then he turned to Asta who looked undecided when to jump in, and with a sigh, Wilhelm said, "Well, about time I stop it."
*SNAP*
With a snap of his fingers, both Magma and Vanessa were covered by a thin layer of glass that shimmered in multi-color light. Then as quickly it formed, it shattered away leaving behind Vanessa and Magna who both had expression as if they won their duel of words.
Maybe they did…according to them.
As Vanessa approached them, she said with a gentle smile, "Let's go."
And then they left for their shopping.
…
"How do I look?"
"More civil."
"Hey! Is that a way to talk to a lady?"
…
"What do you think?"
"You need a better piece of jewelry to look beautiful."
"Pfft."
"Shut up Asta!"
"Sorry, Miss Venessa!"
…
"How is it?"
"Don't ask him, he is just going to…"
"Lovely."
"…say something bad…? Who are you? Where is Wilhelm?"
"Don't mind her, she is just jealous. You look absolutely wonderful Noelle."
"(⸝⸝๑ ̫ ๑⸝⸝⸝) Hwa~hwa~hwa~"
…
"Asta try this, you will look wonderful."
"Nah, you look like an idiot in this. Try this one instead."
"Are you adamant about going against me?"
"Nope, you just have poor taste in fashion."
…
"Okay…now we will move to the black market." Vanessa said with a dead look whose culprit was Wilhelm who was smiling from ear to ear.
"You acted like that because you wanted to go to Black Market didn't you?"
*Nod Nod*
"Hmph, you are not cute at all."
"I can say the same about you."
"( – ⌓ – )
'Okay, deep breath. My junior is a spoilt-mouthed person but still is a good person.
He means well. I think.'
With these thoughts, she just smiled and said, "Let's go. Asta, come here."
"Coming!" Asta said taking his sight away from a piece of jewelry in the jewelry shop that he wanted to buy for Sister Lily.
Then they started to walk to the entrance to the Black Market.
"Who is the lucky lady?"
"Huh?"
"Don't pretend Asta~ Who is the lucky lady for whom you were looking at that lovely necklace? Hmm~Hmm~( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)"
Hearing it, Asta blushed and muttered under her breath, "Sister Lily."
"Wait! Your own sister?!" Wilhelm said with a stunned gaze that was slowly turning into one of disgust when Asta cleared, "NO! NOT SISTER SISTER but nun sister!" Asta clarified which broke the expression of disgust that was about to manifest on their faces.
"Oh, a woman of cloth, huh? Sucks to be you."
"Hahaha~" Asta scratched the back of his head
"I thought you were gunning for Noelle."
"What?" Asta blurted.
"I mean I would." Wilhelm said.
"(⸝⸝๑ ̫ ๑⸝⸝⸝) Wha~Wha~Wha~Wha~" At this Noelle became a broken record, and seeing the interaction a smile bloomed on Vanessa's face, and then she finally reached the entrance. When they were engaged in conversation, Vanessa quietly opened their way to the Black Market.
Spreading her hand wide open, she said, "Okay, people, this is the black market. Here you will find all sorts of things but make sure to check what you are buying. There is no guarantee of quality of what you are buying, okay?"
"Understood," Asta replied back energetically and Vanessa came and stole Noelle from the group to save her from overheating due to Wilhelm's teasing.
"Well, that leaves just us. Where do you want to go?" Wilhelm asked Asta who was looking at everything around him with a child-like joy.
At his words, Asta turned around and said with a slightly contemplating face, "Nothing. I just came to see if there is something I can buy for my family back home."
"Perfect, we are going to buy a staff."
"Staff?"
"Magic Staff."
"What is magical about it?"
"It has the greatest magic that has ever existed and will exist in the world."
"And that is…?" Asta asked with stars in his eyes.
"Smacking people on their head really hard."
"(-_-)"
"Hmm…there they are." Wilhelm said pointing to Vanessa and Noelle who were looking through a shop. Seeing their destination in front of them, both of them walked up to the girls when Noelle noticed them and asked with a creased face, "Are you both done with your shopping this early?"
"Nope." Wilhelm said popping the 'p' and continued.
"Asta here does not want to buy anything for now, so I decided to bring him with me to this shop to buy a Magic Staff."
"But your magic control is fine. Better than anyone's if I say so myself. Why do you need the Magic Staff for?" Vanessa quipped in between and looking at the pair, Wilhelm said, "To smack people on their head."
"Eh…?" This sound came not only from Noelle and Vanessa but the shopkeeper too, who was keeping his ears wide open.
"Don't look at me like that. My particular type of magic is good against many types of people but if I encounter people like Captain of Coral Peacock who can create her own dimension and take battle to her turf or Captain of Purple Orca who can become immune to magic, I will then become as useless as Noelle."
"Hey!" Noelle said indignantly.
"Hey~"
"(⸝⸝๑ ̫ ๑⸝⸝⸝)" Noelle fused seeing Wilhelm's disarming smile.
'Damn, did she not get love from her family or what? She just blushes way too hard at any sign of positive attention.' Wilhelm thought seriously observing her and feeling just a little bad about the way he had treated her till now. Just a bit. Then it was gone.
Then Wilhelm did not engage any further in any conversation with his squad mates and asked the shopkeeper, "Do you have any Magic Staff? They should be sturdy enough for me to crack people's skulls open."
'What the hell is this person? He dresses nicely like that silver-haired girl over there but speaks like a madman. Ooof, he is from Black Bull, of course, he is mad. But still, who asks for a Magic Staff to hit people? Shouldn't he go to a blacksmith for this? If it is just for smacking then they make way better things.' Even though this doubt emerged in his mind, like any good merchant he did not direct him to the next shop but instead said, "Sorry Mr. …?"
"Rothchilde."
'Name seems familiar. Must from some big-name noble family.'
"Sorry Mr. Rothchilde, but while we do have Magic Staffs, none of them are sturdy enough to…smack people and crack their skulls open."
"Well, that is bad. I will try in another sho-"
"But I do have something else. Magic Sword?"
"Wait, like mine?!" Asta said summoning his swords from the grimoire and pointing at himself.
"Well, I don't know about your magic swords sir, but these magic swords are just like wands that can be used for hitting things too." He said as he went back. He quickly came out with a box covered in dust from head to toe and opened it. Inside the box, lay a Zweihänder sword with a total length of about 59 inches, including its handle. It appeared to be a normal sword but there was a gem embedded in its hilt and pommel. The sword also had a thin blue line running across the blade.
"Woah! That looks amazing." Asta said as his eyes shone with the reflection of the sword.
"Why was this piece collecting dust on your shelves?" Wilhelm asked without beating around the bush and examined the sword as well.
"Well, there are not many people who use swords, and even among them the number who use such a long sword is even less, but seeing your height I think it will suit you." The shop keeper replied, at which Vanessa leaned over and whispered in his ear, "I think you should buy it. Items he sells are pricey but their quality is good. And you can learn how to use a sword from Captain and Asta too."
'Well, it does sound a better choice than a staff now. But staff makes me look like a wizard, but this will make me look like a…magic knight. Now I have to buy it.'
"How much is it?" Wilhelm asked as he picked up the sword from the box and moved his finger over the edge and hissed as it drew blood immediately.
"30 thousand Yul only."
"30K Yul for a sword when magic wands cost around 10K at most?" Wilhelm said with a piercing look but the merchant did not seem affected by it and said, "Hahaha~ Not at all. This sword has Sharpness, Repair, Return, and Piercing enchantment. All you need to do is to provide your mana and it will regenerate back. Though piercing enchantment is good enough to pierce normal armor and will fail against any defensive magic. But other than that, it is good."
"And what is preventing enchantments from breaking, huh?" Wilhelm thought as he looked at Asta and immediately realized that if he fought against Asta with this sword, it would become a normal chunk of steel.
"These stones. As long as these stones are fine, the enchantment will remain just fine." Merchant said as he pointed at them.
Giving the sword a once over and weighing it on his hand, Wilhelm said, "I will buy it. You can show the pretty lady here her wand, I will look around the shop."
"Yes, yes, of course." Merchant said with a smile that even Wilhelm's father did not give him.
And just as expected, Noelle blushed hearing the small compliment.
'Aww, if she acts like this every time then I might have found myself a hobby back at base.'
"C'mon Asta, let's go, and tell if anything catches your eye." Wilhelm said at which Asta nodded though his eyes were stuck on a metal sword, something that did not escape both Wilhelm and Vanessa's eyes, both of whom nodded at each other with a similar thought.
'We are buying this for him.'
Then he walked with Asta around the shop as he commented on everything.
"What is it?"
"Enchanted clothes. No need to buy them, Vanessa could make better than them."
"What is that?"
"Fancy noble notebook."
After going around the shop and selecting what he wanted to buy, the boys returned, and seeing the way the shopkeeper was acting, Noelle was done with her shopping as well.
"So you boys done with shopping."
"Yes." Wilhelm said pointing to a small wrapped cloth where Asta's favored item was.
"You both done too?"
"Yes. We found a perfect wand for Noelle."
"Good." Wilhelm said and Noelle asked, "What did you buy?"
At this, he placed the item and removed the cloth on them.
"Well, a shield and upper armor." He said pointing to a heater shield, and the armor that covered his chest, stomach, and arms.
"Hmm…good choice. You will look dashing in it." Vanessa complimented Wilhelm and he smiled at it and asked the merchant just for safe measure, "Do they have enchantment too?"
"Yes, the shield has Strengthen, Repair, Return, and Defense enchantment, and armor has some enchantment too. But keep in mind while defense enchantment will save you from magical attacks if the attack is strong enough, it will breach the armor."
"Got it. Now pack everything up and tell me the subtotal."
And with this, Black Bulls returned to their base with their pockets less full that day.
***