Robbery

Six Eyes scanned all the swords in this weapon shop in a short amount of time. Eiji was slightly disappointed with the quality of the swords here, which only looked good in appearance.

'This is just a small weapon shop located in a narrow alley, don't expect much.'

Moreover, swords comparable to the Leaf Sword, or even those on par with Grade 3 Cursed Tools, were only a few.

'So that's the legendary sword, huh... If it weren't for my Six Eyes, I wouldn't have realized there's something special.'

Eiji's gaze fell on one of the swords in a wooden barrel along with other swords treated like scrap.

The legendary sword Derflinger.

The sword had existed for six thousand years and was forged during the era when Brimir was still alive.

Derflinger had the ability to absorb spells, but stronger spells like those from Box-class magicians took longer to absorb. It could also control its user and move them to a safe place if they fainted, though this consumed its own magical reserve.

Even if its physical form was destroyed, Derflinger could transfer to another nearby sword to survive with all its abilities intact.

'Derflinger has its own consciousness and is more like a Sword Spirit. I don't need a weapon that can talk.'

After pondering for a moment, Eiji no longer paid attention to Derflinger.

Derflinger was destined for the protagonist; there was no need to seize one of the other's cheat items.

Meanwhile, Louise ignored Saito's excitement and said to the shop owner, "I don't know much about swords, so show me something reasonable."

"How about this one?"

The shop owner handed her a rapier.

Holding and swinging the rapier, Louise still felt something was missing.

"You wielded a bigger sword than this before, right?"

"Huh? Really?" Saito said uncertainly.

Turning to the shop owner, Louise lightly said, "I want something bigger and more beautiful."

The shop owner didn't immediately comply with her request but instead offered a suggestion.

"Sorry, but that size suits him."

Ignoring the other's advice, Louise stepped closer and firmly said, "Bigger and thicker!"

"O-Okay."

Under pressure, the shop owner went into the workshop. Moments later, he returned with a beautifully adorned long golden sword.

"Wow... Cool."

Holding the golden sword in his hand, Saito was mesmerized.

Seeing the two customers impressed with the cheap sword dressed up like an expensive one, the shop owner grinned inwardly.

Nobles knew nothing about swords; as long as they were given beautiful swords that satisfied their aesthetic tastes, it was easy to trick money out of them.

The shop owner was experienced in dealing with arrogant nobles.

Of course, if the customer were a knight, he wouldn't dare to deceive them.

"This is the best sword in this shop. It was made by the famous Germanian Alchemist Shupei! This sword can cut through iron like butter."

The Germanian Empire was the largest kingdom in Halkeginia and was also considered the strongest in terms of military power.

The distance between the Germanian Empire and the Kingdom of Tristain was quite far. That's why the shop owner wasn't worried about the customer discovering his lie.

"See the mark here?" The shop owner proudly pointed to the words on the sword's hilt.

"You can't get it cheaper anywhere else."

"How much is it?" Louise lifted her head high.

Not only Saito, but she also felt satisfied seeing the sword that fulfilled her ego.

"Three thousand gold coins."

"That's equivalent to buying a house and an entire forest!"

Hearing the price the shop owner mentioned, Louise was shocked.

"The best swords cost as much as a castle." The shop owner made a reasonable excuse.

"I only have one hundred gold coins." Louise said helplessly.

She didn't expect the price of the sword to be so expensive.

"Can't afford it? Nobles are always arrogant, and now..." Saito grumbled.

At this point, Louise glared sharply at him.

"..."

From Louise's attitude of always viewing him as a commoner, Saito thought the girl was very wealthy.

"Well, even an ordinary sword costs two hundred gold coins." The shop owner shrugged and smiled cynically.

Turns out this noblewoman was very poor yet her pride was very high.

"Is there anything for a hundred gold coins?" Louise asked, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

"I think there is one."

The shop owner walked to the wooden barrel and randomly picked a sword.

"Isn't this like trash?"

Holding the rusty sword in his hand, Saito still preferred the previous sword.

"Well, that sword is indeed a bit old. But with some care, it can be good again."

"I'll take this one."

"Ehhh!!!"

"Thank you!"

Ignoring Saito's dissatisfaction, Louise paid for the sword. After that, the two left the weapon shop.

The smile on the shop owner's face vanished.

"Tsk, just a poor noble. This is why I don't like nobles; even in poverty, their arrogance doesn't change."

Sitting in chair, he puffed on his pipe while counting money.

*Whoosh*

"Hm? Did something just pass by?"

Feeling a breeze and a rustling sound, he looked left and right, but besides himself, there was no one else in the shop.

"Very strange."

Not caring anymore, he continued counting money.

On the shop's roof, Eiji held a still-sheathed sword.

"That guy's a sly deceiver. Consider this compensation for all the cheating you've done."

At his waist was a pouch containing a total of one thousand five hundred gold coins, which he had found in the workshop while searching for the sword.

"Let's buy a souvenir for Siesta before heading back."

Placing the sword on his back, Eiji jumped off the roof and landed on the ground.

Because the weapon shop was located in a remote area, far from the crowds, no one noticed him.

Eiji walked and joined the crowd of pedestrians.

There were many fruits he had never seen before.

"Well, what's a good gift?"

Walking slowly, he looked at the items sold by the merchants at their stalls.

He had memorized the way from the Tristain Magic Academy to the city. So, he could return without needing to be with Saito and the others.

Eventually, Eiji bought women's clothing he thought would suit Siesta.

"It's almost noon, let's head back quickly. Don't let Siesta worry not seeing me in the room."

Pulling the hood down to cover his forehead, Eiji left the city.

Even with a horse-drawn carriage, it would take three hours of travel from the city to the Tristain Magic Academy.

When he arrived at the parking area, the horse-drawn carriage that brought him was already gone.

Eiji had anticipated this. So he chose a primitive method, which was running.

At subsonic speed, he was even faster than a horse-drawn carriage.

Unfortunately, the return journey was not as smooth as the departure. Eiji encountered a monster blocking his way.