Life as an Adventurer with the Banished Marquis' Daughter - Chapter 33: Shopping with the Exiled Marquis’ Daughter, Part 5

Chapter 33: Shopping with the Exiled Marquis’ Daughter, Part 5

“Just a moment.”

Tepe said this and disappeared into the back of the store, returning shortly with a sword. It looked similar to the one I used before.

It had almost no decorations, giving the impression that the person who made it found embellishments unnecessary and bothersome. 

Unlike the mass-produced practical weapons, this one felt like it had a strong, determined spirit, perhaps because Tepe chose it.

I compared the sword to Tepe, who seemed equally unconcerned with her own appearance. 

If this sword were presented to a typical noble as their weapon, they would probably get angry.

Nobles might dislike decorations that hinder a weapon’s practicality, but offering a weapon with no adornments at all and saying “this is your weapon” would upset most nobles. 

However, this sword was different.

I grasped the hilt of the sword on the counter and admired the blade.

Made from an alloy of iron and magic stones, commonly known as magisteel, the blade had a glossy, wet sheen. The balance was superb when I held it. 

And then—

“I feel like my magic is being drawn in. No, it’s like the magic is flowing through it.”

I widened my eyes in surprise, and Tepe nodded happily.

“Yes, that sword is designed to channel magic well. So—”

I understood what Tepe was going to say without hearing it.

Before she finished speaking, I cast a physical enhancement spell on the sword. 

Patterns like wood grain appeared on the surface of the blade.

“I was going to explain that the enhancement also works on the sword itself…”

I apologized lightly to Tepe, who smiled wryly.

“Sorry for ruining the surprise. I’ve been enhancing my swords for a while now.”

“That’s quite a skill you have.”

Tepe spoke with a hint of amazement. 

It seemed that enhancing a weapon was rare, even for a weapons dealer.

“But this sword is incredible. It’s much easier to enhance than my previous one. It doesn’t feel like I’m forcing the magic through it, and the quality of the enhancement is entirely different.”

Tepe bowed her head, thanking me.

“As long as magic flows through it, I can be sure it will never break.”

I placed the sword back on the counter.

“You’re praising it too much… uhehehe.”

Tepe squirmed with delight. 

I was sure I wanted to buy this sword, so I looked over at Erika.

She held the purse strings.

Honestly, with the Chancellor’s support, we weren’t short on living expenses, but Erika said that managing the household finances was the wife’s duty.

So, what was Erika’s judgment? 

She nodded.

“We’ll take this sword.”

I told Tepe.

＊

The new sword, even the scabbard I got as a bonus, looked plain. Hanging it at my waist made it look like any other mass-produced sword. Even if I drew it, it still looked like an ordinary sword unless closely inspected.

Listening to Tepe’s instructions on how to take care of it and what to do if it needed repairs, I was already satisfied with how well it felt hanging at my waist.

“Basically, it’s just like any other sword, so regular maintenance is fine.”

“Thank you. I’ll use it well.”

When I thanked her, Tepe smiled and said, “I’m glad to have made a profit.” 

By the way, it was quite an expensive purchase.

Without Erika’s go-ahead, I might not have had the courage to buy it.

Being a proper adventurer can be quite profitable, but I tended to save money rather than spend it.

Speaking of which, I wondered what happened to the money I saved in Faltar.

I think I told my father, but he might not have bothered to collect it from the adventurer’s guild where I had deposited it.

“By the way, would you sell me a sword too?”

While I was thinking about the money I left behind, Erika spoke up. 

She already had a sword from the Chancellor’s house at her waist, so seeing my new sword must have piqued her interest in Tepe’s swords.

“May I see that sword?”

Tepe asked, and Erika silently handed over her sword.

Tepe examined it for a while after drawing it from its sheath, then returned it to Erika, shaking her head.

“I’m sorry, but if you’re looking for a replacement for this sword, you’d have better luck searching the kingdom’s treasury.”

“I see. I was interested in your swords, but that’s disappointing.”

Erika said, sounding genuinely disappointed as she returned the sword to her waist.

“As a substitute, please accept this.”

Tepe handed her a sheathed dagger.

“No charge. It’s a token of my gratitude for allowing me to see the Solnzari family’s treasured sword up close.”

With just a glance at the sword, Tepe had figured out that Erika was from the Solnzari family. 

Who is this girl, really?

Erika accepted the dagger with a wry smile. 

Whether it was because she guessed her identity or something else, I couldn’t tell.

“You’re quite the businessman. I’ll leave the maintenance of our swords to you.”

Tepe bowed her head, and Erika’s refined demeanor impressed me. 

As I watched, the sound of the shop door opening caught my attention.

“Tepe, I brought what you asked for.”

A woman entered, carrying a large paper bag. 

Her voice and attire made me tense up slightly. When she turned and saw Erika and me, the woman, the Sister, exclaimed,

“The adventurer from that time!”