After forming the bond with the little falcon, Logan was given a small bag of food that would last the day.
He was even offered a free slave to carry anything he might purchase, but he declined without hesitation. With only the barest of pleasantries true to his usual style Logan and Rubina left the kind yet morally questionable slave trader's shop.
"I know you're not the best speaker, Logan," Rubina began, "but I should remind you that making allies is in your best interest. Mr. Miles seemed content with your actions, but others may not be so tolerant. Try faking a smile once in a while; who knows, maybe you will—"
Before she could finish, her eyes caught on a girl about their age standing just outside the shop. It was immediately clear she was an earth user from the radiance of the Great Spirit of Earth's power surrounding her. An amber aura shimmered faintly around her, enhancing the warm tones of her short light-brown hair, clear amber-tinted eyes, and bronze skin.
Her presence was calm and grounded, standing in quiet contrast to the bustling chaos of the shopping district.
"Lady Chloe of the Amberstone, to what do we owe the pleasure of your presence?" Rubina's voice carried a subtle edge of contempt.
Lady Chloe held her composure despite the hostility. "I have been tasked with overseeing the hero's safety. I apologize for the delay there were… miscommunications. I was asked to meet you earlier, Hero, but I've only just arrived."
"Uhm, alright. I'm Logan. Nice to meet you, Lady Chloe?" Logan replied, studying her with a mix of curiosity and skepticism.
"Ah, yes… how careless of me. Forgive me. My name is Chloe Amberstone, of one of the Gem Knight families under the care of the Great Earth Spirit." She bowed with her hand over her heart, the gesture elegant and precise, every movement reflecting refined knightly discipline.
Logan gave a short nod, acknowledging the introduction. Rubina, however, remained wary of their new guest, her hesitation clear especially since Chloe had cut short the rare moment she'd had alone with Logan.
"I see you are both shopping. Don't mind me," Chloe continued. "I will follow from afar, Hero. My task is only to ensure your safety. One can never know when the vile demons might strike. But…" She exhaled softly, a faint trace of tension slipping through her calm demeanor. "Don't trouble yourself over that. We've reinforced the kingdom with help from various nations. Just… shop, and let's not overcomplicate things."
Chloe then stepped back about ten paces, giving Logan and Rubina enough space to talk freely. Still, it was hard to ignore the presence of an armored knight trailing just behind them, the faint clank of metal marking every movement she made.
Rubina sighed, trying to turn her attention back to their shopping. "Well, at least she's not right on top of us," she muttered, casting a quick glance at Logan.
He gave her a faint smile, appreciating her attempt to lighten the mood. "Let's just continue. Where are we going next?"
"Well, there are several things we'll need, but first off, let's drop the small chick on the carriage before we continue," Rubina said thoughtfully. "As for what we need… the simple supplies can be picked up later, so we don't have to carry them. But you should choose your armor… a basic weapon… and some new clothes. Going out into the wild usually ends with torn or ruined gear."
"Sorry to interrupt," Chloe called from behind, her tone polite but firm. "If it's armor you're after, we should head to Old Merryl's shop. It's the fourth one before the street ends." She delivered the advice, then casually glanced away, as though she weren't part of their group at all.
"Right, I was going to suggest the same," Rubina said, her voice carrying a faint edge. "So I guess it's a good place to go next." Without waiting for further discussion, she took Logan's hand and set off at a brisker pace, as if determined to put some distance between them and Chloe.
Once the little chick was settled inside the carriage, they made their way back toward the shops on their list.
Logan followed, a touch exasperated by the whole situation.
And yet… it didn't feel so bad to be pulled along like this, the gesture reminding him of how Lisa used to drag him around when they were kids.
The memory brought a small, unguarded smile to his face, one born from the thought of simpler, happier days.
As they continued on their way through the bustling market, Logan let his eyes wander.
Despite living in the shadow of war, the people here still rose each morning, worked their trades, and fought to earn enough to meet their daily needs.
The marketplace was alive with energetic voices haggling, carts rolling over cobblestones, and the scent of cooked food drifting on the breeze.
By the time they neared their destination, both Logan and Rubina glanced back. Their "follower" was closer than before, her expression carrying a look of clear expectation that made it obvious she intended to be involved.
It didn't take them long to reach the shop a large wooden building with a wide display window showcasing armors crafted from various materials, from tough animal hides to gleaming high-grade minerals.
Stepping inside, they were greeted by the unmistakable scent of fresh leather. The shop was well-lit, with clusters of magic orb crystals casting a steady glow. From deeper within came the rhythmic ring of a hammer striking metal, accompanied by the soft hum of a pleasant melody.
The first sight that caught their eyes was an elderly woman seated behind a workbench.
She was focused on stitching the final rows of a boot, yet she still greeted them without missing a beat.
"Greetings. Give me a second, will you? Just a few more rows and this should be about finished," she said in a calm, warm tone that instantly reminded Logan of his late grandmother.
"It's fine, Madam Merryl. We'll take a look around while you finish," Rubina replied, already expecting this welcome.
"Oh, it's the Rosengard lass, huh? That's a fine suggestion." The old woman chuckled softly, her eyes still fixed on her work. "Wait, Lady Chloe too? Even better! You'll know what this young couple should want."
With a smug look, Rubina led Logan toward the section displaying medium defensive gear.
Her gaze swept over the pieces, weighing their colors and design, imagining which might suit Logan best.
She picked up a pair of gloves, only to pause as another voice interjected.
"Uhm, those won't be too useful, if I may…" Chloe stepped forward, gesturing toward two armor sets. "This black set and this dark grey set might be good choices. The black one offers solid defense and some resistance to magic, though it's a bit heavy. The dark grey set matches the hero's dark scheme style; it's mostly leather, so weight won't be an issue, but it doesn't provide much magic defense."
Though Chloe's tone was polite, she seemed aware that her presence was wearing on the red-haired girl. Still, her suggestions were reasonable enough that Rubina didn't snap back, even if her eyes flickered with irritation.
She carried both sets over to Logan, giving a small nod before speaking. "Well, the Amberstones know their craft. The gloss finish on parts of this black armor would suit your personality, while the grey one favors comfort and ease of movement. It really comes down to what you value more defense or mobility."
Logan examined both sets closely, weighing the pros and cons. He appreciated Chloe's knowledgeable input and Rubina's effort to find the best gear for him.
After a moment of thought, he was ready to decide, only for Rubina to speak up first.
"Then again, why choose at all? We should take both." She paused before glancing toward their third companion. "Also, Ms. Chloe, if you can hear us, stop hanging back so far. We could use your input. We still need footgear for the wild and a good spatial bag."
Chloe stepped closer, her calm composure unshaken. "In that case, I'd suggest a spatial ring. It's less cumbersome, more secure, and it keeps your hands free for other tasks."
Rubina's eyes narrowed briefly, though her tone carried a hint of approval. "That does sound practical. What do you think, Logan?"
"Yeah… that sounds good to me," he replied with a nod, deciding lighter would be better for travel.
Logan was quietly relieved that the decision-making hadn't required much from him. With their armor and camping gear chosen, they returned to Madam Merryl, who had finished her work. She introduced Logan to her husband, a craftsman specializing in both armor and blacksmithing. The family tradition extended next door, where their eldest daughter ran the weapon shop.
Entering that shop proved quicker; only a few daggers were needed, along with, for reasons Logan didn't quite grasp, a whip that Rubina insisted on adding to his gear.
Before returning to the Rosengard Estate, they decided to stop by a pleasant café for a few snacks. Chloe had initially intended to take a seat at a different table, but Rubina, eager to learn more about the girl's motive,s insisted she join them.