21 Preparations

The town of Lockwood was peaceful, the gentle breeze flowed through the tall grass that lined the cobbled main roads. The people exchanged greetings as the market-stall owners cheerfully peddled their wares.

This was a good place to settle down when everything was all over, the atmosphere was pleasant and the smell of freshly cooked bread filled the air wherever you went in the town.

Lockwood was a small town on the outskirts of one of the many human kingdoms that littered the planet, bandits never tried to attack the town as a few high-level adventurers had decided to retire here, Hoat'l among them. Ai could understand why, having remembered a lifetime of adventure, she couldn't help but wish to stay here for the rest of her life, maybe open her own shop to sell miscellaneous goods crafted through her creation magic.

Alas, she knew this couldn't be possible with the impending return of the cycle. Her heart sank, imagining this peaceful town ablaze as the demons destroyed everything beautiful in this world. Thinking about how she wanted to protect places like this, she approached one of the general stores of the town.

The shop, much like the rest of the town, had an air of peace around it, the oak wood that made up the building and the sign hanging from the awning that read {Bernards General Goods} seemed like a peaceful dream to Ai.

Ai smiled softly as she opened the door, the smell of fresh bread lingered even in the shop that was lined with counters filled with random tools and hides sold by would-be young adventurers.

"Welcome to Bernards! I'll be with you in a moment!" A woman in a simple brown dress said as she stood on a tall wooden stool, stocking some dried jerky on the hanging shelves above the reception area.

"Ahn, take your time." Ai smiled as she walked down one of the aisles that contained sewing and leatherworking supplies. She didn't necessarily need a kit, but having access to the string and raw materials would allow her to repair her clothing with her magic easier. However, a small, simple blue dress caught her attention hanging from one of the clothing racks to the back of the shop.

Grabbing a small sewing kit with plenty of different colored string, she approached the clothing rack and grabbed the dress, it had a floral pattern embroidered along the cleanly cut hem that wasn't too noticeable at a distance since the color matched the rest of the dress, but Ai smiled as something short and simple like this was just what she wanted.

The woman finished hanging the last of the jerky as she hopped down the stool and walked around the counter. "Now then, how can I help you, miss?"

Ai smiled and held up the dress and sewing kit. "How much for these?"

The woman approached and looked under the hem of the dress as she pulled out a small yellow piece of parchment. "Ah, the sewing kit will be 25 coppers and the dress is a single silver."

Ai nodded and glanced around the shop, to see if there was anything she could purchase to round up the price to a couple of silvers. "Do you have any rations? My sister and I are going on an expedition that will last around a month, round trip. My sister is already purchasing a month's worth of rations, but I'd like to surprise her with something a little nicer for on the road."

"Hmmm..." The woman turned around and walked behind the counter again. "Well, we have some of this dried jerky, we also have some mixed nuts that merchants bring in occasionally. The jerky, although relatively expensive, is pretty cheap around these parts as we get a bountiful supply thanks to the adventurers always bringing in fresh meat."

Ai walked up to the counter, laying down the dress and the kit. "How much jerky could I get to round up the total cost to two silvers?"

"Hmmm..." The woman held her chin thoughtfully. "Well since this is your first time here, I'll throw in 14 pieces of jerky." The woman smiled warmly.

"That's very kind of you, but I believe in supporting honest businesses, and since you haven't tried swindling me, how about I throw in an extra silver for 20 of those pieces of jerky?" Ai felt warmth in her heart, reaffirming her wish to stay in this peaceful town.

"That's very kind of you miss, very well, I'll make it 21 as a sign of good luck for your journey." The woman grabbed a few handfuls of jerky and placed them along the counter, counting each piece and changing out any pieces that looked too small. 'Such a nice girl.' Ai couldn't help but think.

"That'll be three silvers." The woman said as Ai handed them over with a warm smile.

Placing her hand over the purchased goods, she sent them into her inventory and immediately opened her inventory. Selecting the newly bought [Mid-Quality Blue Dress], she equipped it as her body glowed, the leathers she was wearing disappeared, and the sleeveless dress appeared over her body, automatically adjusting for her small size, reaching down just below her knees.

"You look very pretty in that, miss. Thank you for your patronage, and I wish you well on your journey." Ai bowed in a princess-like curtsy, the look nearly ruined by the shit-eating grin on her face, she blushed realizing how she looked as the woman stifled a soft giggle.

"T-thanks, I'll be sure to visit again when we return!"

The woman nodded. "Next time you come, if you see my husband, Bernard, tell him that Melinda sent you."

Ai nodded as she walked out of the store to be greeted by Amari with a large, stuffed leather backpack and Hoat'l with an even comedically larger backpack that was more than double his size. Ai couldn't help but stifle her laughter.

"Nice dress, sis, looks cute on you." Amari smiled as Hoat'l gave her a thumbs up.

Ai nodded and grinned. "So I take it things went well?"

Amari nodded. "Mn! Got more than enough supplies, though we are flat broke again, we're gonna have to pick up some stuff to sell, thankfully Giant artifacts can be pretty pricey, so if we can snag some goods, we'll be pretty well set, even without that quest!"

Ai cringed as she remembered that regretful encounter with that disgusting would-be samurai. She hoped they wouldn't run into him again.

"No worries, I don't think that bastard will mess with us again." Amari gave a thumbs up, sensing Ai's distress about knowing that guy was going to the same area.

"By the way, Hoat'l, are you part of the no inventory club too?" Ai asked looking at the massive backpack with a tilt of her head, making her look adorable in the dress.

"Aye, can'ae have me goods disappearin' if the system goes kaput!" He said as Ai simply shook her head with her palm to her face.

"I'm really looking forward to this trip with you both." Ai smiled warmly. "But I'm looking forward to returning safely even more. This town has grown on me." It truly did, despite the thugs earlier on, this town truly was a pleasant place to stay, and Ai hoped the journey brought them back safe and sound.

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