"The BLACK SCABBARDS?!" said the lady.
"My, what a bizarre name...!"
She chuckled.
"In that case..."
"I have a favor that I'd like you to help me with, Black Scabbards..."
Tuziku hesitated for a moment.
Then—
"Sure, we'll help you!"
Prīōra stepped forward.
"Hey, Prīōra!" Kutcher interrupted.
"Don't you go making decisions for the rest of us!" he barked.
"But, Kutcher—"
"Tuziku is the one who has to make the decisions!" he shouted.
"...I think it's fine, Kutcher..." Tuziku added.
"Tch, you're way too soft, Tuziku!" Kutcher sneered.
The pretty lady smiled.
"Then—"
"Shall we go to my place...?"
She began walking deeper into the town.
"We're coming!" Prīōra shouted cheerfully.
"Let's go, guys!"
Tuziku and Kutcher followed behind.
Several minutes later, they entered the market of Hanafura, where the scenery was quite congested.
"A—amazing!" Prīōra shouted.
"There's so many different things to buy!"
Tuziku constantly tilted his head in all directions, desperate to observe the various items on display.
"It really is impressive..."
"For as far as I can see..."
"People are selling stuff in every direction!"
The pretty lady laughed.
"Well, I did tell you guys that we have one of the best markets in the whole of Daīfugi."
Amazing...
I've never seen anything like this before...
This was a first for Tuziku.
He was completely overwhelmed by the sight of such a large variety of food and items for sale.
Kutcher remained silent as he skeptically checked their surroundings.
Soon after, they arrived in front of a clothing store.
"Okay, we're here, everyone!" said the lady.
"Wow!" Prīōra gawked in awe.
"There's so many pretty dresses!"
"Why'd we stop here, Ma'am?" Tuziku asked.
"This is my clothing shop..."
"I see...!" Tuziku replied.
"You own a clothing shop?!" Prīōra's expression lit up.
"I thought we were heading to your house...?" Kutcher gazed at her intensely.
"Please... allow me to explain inside..." the lady replied.
And so, they all entered the shop.
Upon entering, the trio was greeted by beautiful clothing of all colors, patterns, and sizes.
"Wow...!"
"This dress is so pretty!" Prīōra shouted excitedly as she gazed at a dazzling red dress on display.
Kutcher peeked outside.
"You know... for such a small town, surprisingly, there's a huge amount of people here..."
The pretty lady turned toward him.
"Hanafura town's market is known for its wide variety of supplies from various parts of Daīfugi," she grinned.
"When travelers pass by, they always make a stop at our market!"
"Is that so..." Kutcher replied.
I guess this place is a big deal in Daīfugi after all... Tuziku thought to himself.
"In any case, why did you invite us here, um..." he paused.
"Oh, that's right!"
"Pardon my manners."
"I haven't even told you my name yet..." the lady smiled.
"It's Melony..."
"Oh, o—okay..." Tuziku stuttered.
"Melony, what's the favor that you'd like to ask of us?"
"Oh, right..." Her smile turned into a frown.
Kutcher turned toward her as Prīōra remained absorbed in the variety of fashion.
"The thing is..."
"I've been having some trouble lately."
Melony held her hands together.
"For the past two nights..."
"Someone has been breaking into my shop..."
"Hm?"
Prīōra rushed to her side.
"Are you alright, Melony?!"
"Yes, but..."
"When I woke up yesterday morning, my door was broken and some of the clothing I had on display were gone, along with all the money I had saved..." she explained.
"That's terrible..." Prīōra consoled her as tears streamed down her face.
She sniffed.
"...My husband is an Underdog who set out to reach Nekōbashi, so currently I live alone..."
"When I woke up today, I found the shop all in a mess and more of my clothes were missing..."
Prīōra gently patted her shoulder in an effort to console her.
"This town doesn't have anyone strong enough who can help!"
"I'm so sorry to hear that, Melony..." said Tuziku.
"Boy, you're the leader of this crew, right?!"
Melony approached Tuziku and held his hands as her tears began to well up.
"I beg of you, please help me get rid of this burglar...! I will pay you a lump sum of neros!"
"How much neros are we talking?" Kutcher interrupted.
"Kutcher!" Prīōra snapped.
"Fifty thousand neros!" Melony replied.
"F—fifty thousand!" Kutcher stuttered with a look of absolute shock.
"Where will you get that kind of money, Melony?!" Prīōra asked.
"I have a customer who I recently met..."
"She's a traveler just like you guys!"
"She wanted to buy a whole bunch of my dresses this morning, but I had to fix up the shop, so I told her to return tomorrow..."
"I see..." Prīōra replied.
"The money from that sale will be enough for me to pay you."
"So, leader boy, I implore you... please help me get rid of this burglar...?"
Melony gazed at Tuziku with a look of desperation.
Hmm...
What should I do...?
We really could use that money if we intend to go shopping later on...
Tuziku clapped his hands.
"I've decided!"
"Kutcher, Prīōra, we're going to help her!"
"Thank goodness," Prīōra sighed in relief.
"It was obvious from the start that we'd help," Kutcher smirked.
"I'm truly grateful!" Melony smiled as she thanked them.
"Don't thank us yet," Tuziku replied.
...
The following night...
Inside Melony's clothing shop—
The trio hid in a dark corner of the shop in hopes of encountering the burglar...
With only the sound of owls hooting in the moonlight, they continued their wait.
"Hey, Tuziku..." Kutcher whispered.
"...How am I the only one that got stuck with attacking this guy...?"
"Shouldn't you be doing this as the Captain?!"
"Don't be like that now, Kutcher..." Tuziku replied.
"Would you two be quiet already?!" Prīōra snapped.
"What if the burglar hears you talking?"
"Hmph!" Kutcher shrugged.
"Sorry about that, Prīōra," Tuziku apologized.
Suddenly—
CREAAAAAK...
The window slowly opened.
Rustle... Rustle...
Rustle... Rustle...
"Did you guys hear that?!" Prīōra whispered.
...
Thud!
"He's here...!" Tuziku whispered.
"Kutcher, wait until he's in sight!"
"Yeah," Kutcher replied softly.
I'll definitely—
Finish this up as quickly as possible!
CHAPTER 34 END.