NOVEL WEB Chapter 314 (Self Edited) – Accompanying for the Empress’ Errand
Chapter 314 (Self Edited) – Accompanying for the Empress’ Errand
It was quite sudden when Victoria mentioned those words.
When Soma and Aina got used to seeing Victoria and the people interacting with smiles, probably after walking in the royal capital this far, Victoria put her hand on the mouth as if she remembered something.
She asked whether they could accompany her for her business.
And right now, Soma and Aina were coming to that place.
“Hmm… so, do you have something to do here?” (Soma)
“Hmm. Shouldn’t it be the case?” (Victoria)
“That’s how it feels when we were told so. I’m wondering what kind of business you have in this weapon shop.” (Aina)
Yes, it seemed that Victoria’s business was in a weapon shop. There were swords and spears lined up in front of the shop, and it didn’t look any different from other shops.
However, needless to say, Victoria was the empress. It should be called a first-class store. It was unlikely for her to visit herself.
Even though they were surprised, it wasn’t too much of a surprise because they have seen Victoria’s words and actions so far. Speaking of normal, it wasn’t normal for an empress to go out around the capital and interact with people intimately. So, there would be no big difference if one or two weapon shops were added to the list of visits.
And while they were thinking of that, Victoria approached the weapon shop. There was no hesitation in her footsteps and when she reached the door. As soon as she opened it, the inside became clear.
But there wasn’t much to mention. In addition to swords and spears, various weapons such as bows and axes could be seen, but still, it was normal for a weapon shop.
Other than that, there was a wooden counter in the interior part of the room and a man was sitting behind it. The dark-skinned and strong person, who could be seen at a glance as the shop owner, was looking at them with keen eyes.
“Hmmph… what? I was thinking who was it, so it’s you, Your Majesty. What kind of business do you have here?” (??)
The tone of the man wasn’t polite at all even though she was the empress. It was the same like other people earlier. It was still a tone that they wouldn’t believe for a person to talk in that way with the empress, but at the same time… it was different. Soma listened to the words and watched the man’s actions. He tilted his head because it felt different.
There had been people with similar tones. There were people in the capital who seemed to be worse than this man’s words, such as being blunt or rugged.
However, no matter what kind of tone they had, it contained intimacy. More importantly, there was a smile on everyone’s face.
However, the man’s words didn’t contain any intimacy, and there was no smile on his face. It was natural to be skeptical… Soma reflexively turned his eyes toward Victoria.
He thought that she might be angry. The man had a craftsman-like attitude, but whether it would be allowed or not, that would be another matter.
Soma thought that it might be necessary to stop here in case of an emergency. He blinked his eyes several times to see the scene projected in his vision. This was because Victoria was showing a different appearance from what he had expected.
If Soma wasn’t imagining things, her appearance of biting lips seemed to be sad.
However, he could only see it for a few moments. After the blinking was over, the only appearance there was the smile that he had started to get used to. It was a very short moment that had ended to the point it seemed like an imagination.
Aina didn’t seem to be confused, probably because she didn’t see it. Perhaps, Soma was really imagining things, but… that wouldn’t be the case. Even if he saw hallucinations, he had no reason to see them.
Anyhow, there wasn’t enough information to mention it, so there was no need to think about it now. While wondering what it was now, Soma decided to watch their conversation.
“Hmmph, what are you talking about? In the first place, don’t you think there’s only one reason why people want to go to a weapon shop?” (Victoria)
“…Certainly, you’re right. Tsk… if I could make something that I was satisfied with, I would have delivered it already. Since I don’t have it now, I hope you understand what I mean.” (??)
“Hmm…” (Victoria)
Apparently, from the conversation, Victoria was asking for a weapon or something here. But the man hadn’t finished it yet, so she came to check for the progress… or perhaps, she was going to remind him about it.
“I’ve told you before, right? I didn’t come to remind you. Since I came nearby, I just thought about it. Well, if possible, I would like to see the progress of the process.” (Victoria)
“…I don’t mind if you look at it, but I don’t know if you won’t be discouraged. I haven’t started your request yet.” (??)
“I see. Look, if you have it, it’s fine if you show it. Then, I definitely want to see it.” (Victoria)
“…Tsk. Wait here.” (??)
As soon as the man said so, the man stood up and went to the back.
It looked like he didn’t bother about Soma and Aina… well, they didn’t have anything to do anyway. So, there was no problem. It might be a problem as a person who did business, but that wasn’t something that Soma needed to be aware of.
Leaving that aside…
“I have a question. Are you asking him to make a weapon or something?” (Soma)
“Hmm? Well, yes, but… does it seem to bother you?” (Victoria)
“What? Aren’t the weapons displayed here amazing?” (Aina)
“Hmm… I’m sure that I’m interested in the weapons on display, but my concern is something else.” (Soma)
“Something else?” (Aina)
“The weapons on display here are generic for the empress.” (Soma)
To be honest, rather than a dedicated store for the empress, it was for all kinds of people. Even if the weapons were used for the ordinary soldiers, the empress should be given a better one. Therefore, what was displayed here must be for those who had just become adventurers recently.
“So, what about it? I’m not sure whether the weapons are amazing or not, but… it doesn’t look strange, right?” (Aina)
“…No, what the Demon King is saying is correct. Surely, what is displayed here is only good for its look. It looks good to those who hold it, but it won’t be usable in actual battles.” (Victoria)
“Hmm… are you asking for my opinion while understanding that fact?” (Soma)
“Of course. In the first place, you misunderstand it. But you can understand that by looking at what’s coming.” (Victoria)
It was almost at the same time when Soma tilted his head, wondering what he misunderstood, and the man returned.
A spear was held in his hand, but it was obvious that it hadn’t been completed yet. The build was too clumsy. Furthermore, the tip was warped. It might be better to say that this was a failed work rather than an incomplete work.
However, Soma was convinced about something at the same time. It was about his misunderstanding.
“This is how it is now. Like what I’ve said earlier, I’m not sure whether Your Majesty will be discouraged or not.” (??)
“No, no. As for me, this is within my expectation. Don’t you think so too?” (Victoria)
“I suppose so. I see… Are the weapons on display something that was struck by another person?” (Soma)
Apparently, that was the case. He couldn’t think of anything else when comparing the skill that he could feel by looking at the spear and the weapons on display.
At first glance, this man was rather a craftsman than a businessman, so that was why he misunderstood it. Soma didn’t consider that the man was selling something that he didn’t make.
“Hmm… I still have a long way to go.” (Soma)
“Hmm… say, is that spear so great? Honestly, it looks like a failure to my eyes.” (Aina)
“Well, it’s actually a failure, you know? It is what it is. However, I don’t think that it will end here.” (Soma)
“Hmm… I don’t really understand, but in short, it’s promising?” (Aina)
“Yes. At least, it’s worth the time that the empress is visiting here.” (Soma)
However, at the moment, the spear was only up to that degree. At least, Soma didn’t think that he wanted to have a new weapon.
That was because he already had something that he was satisfied with.
“Haa? What’s that? I thought Your Majesty came here alone. Dear me, if so, say something from the beginning–…” (??)
Apparently, he didn’t notice Soma and Aina from the beginning. When the man looked at them with astonished eyes… his movement stopped at some point.
Soma immediately knew what caused it, partly because he predicted it would happen. The moment the man saw Soma’s sword on his waist, he stopped his movement as if he had been struck by some tremendous shock.
And then…
“S-say… you… that sword, can I borrow it for a while? Can you show it to me?” (??)
The man said it with a trembling voice.