A week had passed since our enormous windfall, and ordinary life had awaited us afterward. Just as before, we bought goods in the neighboring town and sold them at our stall. Recently, Neon had gradually begun developing an eye for merchandise herself, and I was terrified that one day there would be nothing left for me to do.
Today, I’d come alone to the neighboring town of Hennig to purchase stock. There, a beautiful pair of white gloves caught my eye. They looked expensive, and the price was seven silver coins.
『Is this item worth more than twice its price?』
『Yes.』
Apparently, I’d found a bargain. But the moment I saw the gloves, Eve’s face came to mind. The beautiful white fingers I’d seen before had been covered in scars. She had saved me and even bought merchandise from us afterward, yet I still hadn’t repaid her in any way.
In the end, I bought the gloves as a gift of thanks for Eve. When I asked Lady Metis later, I learned that they had been enchanted to make a wielded weapon feel slightly lighter. I worried that this might reduce its power, but apparently the weight behind each attack remained unchanged.
◇◇◇
On the stall’s day off, I went looking for Eve to give her the present. I found her patrolling the streets. When she spotted me, she waved and ran over.
“Good morning, Sibyl. I visited your stall the other day, and I was glad to see you had more merchandise! Watching it decrease day by day made me worried, so I’m relieved.”
She worried about us so innocently.
“I’m quite the capable merchant, you know.”
That was how I answered. In truth, my ability as a merchant could only be described as questionable, but never mind that. I held out the bag containing the gloves.
“This is to thank you for saving me the other day. I haven’t done anything for you until now, so I’d really like you to accept it.”
“What?! I’m so happy! Thank you!”
She accepted it without hesitation, her face lighting up. When she took the gloves from the bag, she smiled brightly.
“They’re beautiful! Yes, they fit perfectly!”
She put them on, drew her rapier, and unleashed a thrust with graceful, flowing movements.
“They have an effect that makes my weapon feel lighter. But the strike itself doesn’t feel any weaker. Weren’t these expensive?”
She understood the effect in an instant?
“No, I happened to find a bargain! So don’t hold back. You’ve done nothing but help me, Eve. I want you to take them.”
“Really? Thank you! I’m delighted.”
That smile alone could be said to have repaid the cost of the gift. It was that lovely.
“But I can’t just keep receiving from you… I know! My shift ends at noon today. Afterward, I’ll treat you at a restaurant I recommend!”
“No, you don’t have to. This is my way of thanking you, so please don’t worry about…”
“You don’t want to eat with me?”
She asked with a sad look. There was no refusing that.
“I’d love to. Thank you.”
“I’m glad! Then let’s meet beneath the bell just after noon!”
I’d given her a present, and somehow I’d landed an outing with a beautiful woman. I’d never gone out with a girl before, so I had no idea what to do. Neon was my business partner, after all. And I’d only just given Eve a present… Hmm. I supposed it would work itself out.
I abandoned the effort of thinking and waited for noon.