NOVEL WEB Chapter 86 - Chapter 86: A Long-awaited Return to Savoia (Part 1)
Chapter 86: A Long-awaited Return to Savoia (Part 1)
Saying farewell to Mil and the folks from Vaintz Village, I entered Savoia.
As instructed by Azir at the East Gate, I showed the wooden plaque given by the lord.
For a moment, the gatekeeper froze upon seeing the plaque, making me anxious about some mistake. But as I heard, my taxes were indeed exempted, just as promised.
It seemed quite rare, as the gatekeeper mentioned it was the first time he’d seen something like this.
The treatment felt slightly more polite than usual.
Furthermore, I learned that if I register as a member of the Bonus Trading Company at the town hall, my companions would also be exempt from taxes.
Although it’s valid for only a year, it seemed to hold more value than I initially thought.
One could easily abuse this, but… getting caught would lead to swift punishment.
Better to keep quiet.
“Um… I’m sorry. It seems Hajiramu still hasn’t returned.”
“Huh? Is he running a bit late?”
“Yes. He should have been back by now, but… he hasn’t returned.”
Returning to the mercenary brokerage for the first time in a while, it seemed Hajiramu still hadn’t returned.
A tall, round-faced woman, not even sparing a glance our way, answered while checking something like an attendance list in the back.
Upon closer inspection, she seemed to be subtly trembling.
Perhaps she was shivering behind the counter.
“Can I leave a message?”
“Sure. Can you write?”
“No, I can’t… Is verbal okay?”
“That’s fine.”
“In that case, could you tell him I’m at the market and to inform me when he returns?”
“Understood.”
This was my first time speaking to anyone besides Hajiramu at the brokerage.
Her speech was polite, but somehow seemed quite bothersome.
Never thought I’d one day long for that surly, bearded guy.
“Aren’t you going to ask for a name?”
“I… forgot. My apologies.”
“I’m Bonus from the Bonus Trading Company.”
“Don’t go underestimating our company, alright?”
“Understood.”
As Gisella leaned in closer behind me, she pinned the staff member with a grin.
Compared to other mercenaries around, Gisella had an imposing physique, and her facial features exuded a different, mature beauty from Shiro’s.
Even from the side, her smile was quite powerful.
The female staff member, who hadn’t even bothered to look directly at me until now, was now hastily preparing a message with a pale face.
Guess I need to learn to carry myself with a bit more authority… lest I be underestimated.
Glancing back at Shiro.
I could somehow tell that all the mercenaries in the brokerage were aware of Shiro.
While she remained vigilant of her surroundings, Shiro smiled peacefully.
I could feel a mixture of fear, wariness, admiration, and envy in the gazes directed at her, but no one dared to look down on her.
“Bonus, what’s up?”
“Oh, I was just thinking… both Shiro and Gisella are pretty cool, huh?”
“Heheh.”
“Eek, eek!”
“Oh, and of course, Kuro is too!”
I couldn’t leverage my physique or facial features like the onis could.
But even just changing my clothes or appearance could make a significant difference in impressions.
Right now, I looked no different from the kids around here…
I should get some proper clothes soon.
Since luggage was cumbersome, I headed first to Gisella’s house.
While Gisella’s house wasn’t in the safest area, it seemed untouched, much like when we left the city.
She’d locked up valuables in the warehouse, but it was surprising they remained untouched for this long…
Just how feared was Gisella in this neighborhood?
Ever since I met her, she’s had a fluffy innocence about her, but she’s always been a kind older sister type.
However, judging from the exchange at the brokerage and her stable life in the rough neighborhoods, she might actually have quite a high skill level in urban survival.
“Bonus, what’s up?”
“Oh, you saved me back there. Gisella, you’re reliable.”
“Hehe, well, it’s been a long time in Savoia.”
As Gisella said that with a bashful smile, she handed everyone a handkerchief cooled with well water from the backyard well.
Just wiping your face already felt remarkably refreshing.
“Thanks. Ah, didn’t notice before, but this city is quite dusty, huh?”
“Savoia is bustling with people and carts, stirring up a lot of dust.”
Previously, I hadn’t paid much attention since it took quite a while to get to Savoia, and I gradually got dirty along the way.
Now, thanks to Elizabeth, the environment changes in an instant, making quite a difference in impression.
“Hehehe~”
“Eek, eek, eek!”
Having finished drying off first, Kuro fetched well water and headed to the kitchen. It seems she’s going to make coffee.
Perhaps Gisella, looking forward to smithing after a long time, was humming while wiping her upper body shirtless, her gaze drawn to the smithy.
Gisella, appearing slightly smaller in stature than Shiro but with a chest a size larger, exuded a strong allure just by casually drying off. However, along with that intense allure, there was also a sense of indifference about her own self.
While oni, in general, tends to rely on their recovery abilities for reckless behavior, even considering that, Gisella gives off the impression of not valuing herself much.
Sometimes she intentionally flirts with me, but even then, she seems to always hold back a bit, surprisingly considerate of her other companions.
It might be her nature, but honestly, I wish she would rely on others more and be more affectionate.
“Gisella, here you go. Feel free to customize it.”
“Hmm? Oh, it’s pink design. Ah, the company’s logo, right?”
“It’s cute.”
As I showed Gisella the design, Pink came over and proudly struck the same pose.
Considering making it into a brand, it’s slightly smaller than the actual Pink, just in case.
“Bonus, you’re staring at boobs too much.”
“It’s unavoidable! And Shiro, you don’t have to strip!”
“Hahaha. Sorry, sorry. I’ll put it on.”
With that, Gisella casually put her clothes back on.
Living in the hideout, fabric consumption was high, so now everyone was wearing pretty tattered clothes.
It’s been like this since we first met, but Gisella cares even less about what she wears than Shiro.
However, looking at weapon decorations or even my weapons, Gisella should clearly have that kind of sense.
Hmm… watching Gisella treat herself so carelessly makes me want to pamper her like a princess until the very limit.
Of course, Kuro and Shiro, as well as Mil and Melanie, would likely be happy to help with that. As materials go, she has the best assets, not just in her chest.
It would surely shine if embellished.
Above all, the reactions would be interesting…
“Bonus, you’re grinning like a mischievous cat.”
“I just came up with a good idea. How about it, can you make a branding iron?”
“I think it’ll be easy with this design. I’ll make it by tomorrow.”
“Just don’t overdo it. Oh, and thanks, Kuro.”
“Eek, eek, eek!”
As Kuro brought coffee, I took a moment to rest and contemplate our next move.
It’s a dilemma whether to head straight to the market or go shopping for clothes and such.
I’d like to greet Melanie and Menas at least, but once we go to the market, we’ll end up being busy with various things and might not get around to shopping after all.
Since I couldn’t meet Hajiramu, it’s also hard to plan for the stalls, and I can’t have a meeting with Menas.
I’ll just stop by the market briefly on the way back home and focus on shopping today.
“Gisella, before I forget, here’s some money for you. Here you go.”
“Huh? You need supplies, but isn’t this too much?”
“We have plenty of money, and it’s an investment in everyone’s gear, so spend it liberally.”
“Hmm, I guess you’re right. Got it.”
Handing a substantial amount of money to Gisella, we decided to go shopping.
Since the incident earlier, I felt even more eager to buy clothes as soon as possible.
“Gisella, see you later. Once we come back to Savoia tomorrow, we’ll head to your place first.”
“…Hmm, suddenly feeling a bit lonely.”
“Eek, eek, eek!”
“We’ll see each other soon. Keep up the good work with the smithing!”
“No problem.”
“Uwawawa, hahaha. Got it. See you tomorrow!”
Seeing Gisella looking a bit lonely, Kuro jumped on her and hugged her tightly, so Shiro and I hugged Gisella from above.
By the time we left her house like that, the sun had already set quite a bit.
With plans to meet Zamza and Elizabeth, we can’t afford to be too leisurely.