Chapter 57: Deceiving People.
The next morning, the group gathered around the dead fire.
Kazuka was the first to speak.
"Alright, so near Kari City there is another city, we will go there. When you guys have recovered everything properly."
Aoto shook his head.
"No need, I think we should go now."
"We stayed up all night to recover already, look. The sun is at its peak."
Kazuka was a bit surprised.
"Huh? Everyone recovered already?"
Ayaka nodded.
"We stayed up all night to recover, only started sleeping near dawn."
Kazuka froze for a moment. He understood that no one was waiting for him anymore. Everyone was trying, and if he didn't act, no one would do it for him.
Maturity doesn't always come from a shock. Sometimes... it's just the moment one realizes: if no one does it, I must.
-"I will protect everyone, just trust me."
Kazuka immediately stood up, eyes looking at everyone.
"So you guys want to go now?"
The three nodded.
Kazuka let out a long breath.
"Fine, if you're ready, let's go."
Airi looked at Kazuka, smiling with satisfaction.
-"Maybe now I should let him take care of things."
-"Don't know how much he's grown, but knowing how to think differently is a big step forward."
They began to depart in the direction Raiga pointed. Raiga lay on Airi's hand and pointed his tail forward to lead the way. The four walked parallel to each other toward the front.
Kazuka walked while squinting at the sun.
"Do we have much money left, Airi?"
Airi nodded.
"We do, luckily, in the explosion, the money bag I kept on me was fine."
Kazuka: "Come to think of it, I'm a bit regretful about my sword. It was quite high-quality, yet it's lost."
As they were walking normally like that, the image of the old fortuneteller appeared in Kazuka's head.
He smiled to himself.
-"Encountering many obstacles? I won't be afraid."
After walking a long distance, they arrived before a large citadel as the sun began to change color.
The group stepped closer but was stopped by two soldiers. Their faces were quite unpleasant seeing the tattered appearance of the group.
"You want to enter the city?"
Kazuka nodded.
"Yes, we want to enter to buy some things."
The soldier growled, eyes fierce as he looked at the group.
"With this ragged appearance, what for? Are you a pack of beggars?"
Aoto peeked his head out.
"We aren't beggars."
Kazuka let out a sigh.
-"Why do I always get mistaken for a beggar? Maybe in the future, if I disguise as a beggar, no one will recognize me?"
Kazuka turned to Airi who was standing silently observing.
"Hey Airi, can I have two gold coins?"
Airi seemed to understand Kazuka's intention, she nodded and took two gold coins from the bag and placed them in Kazuka's hand.
He took the coins and turned back to give them to the two soldiers, his face a bit mysterious.
"A gift for you two to have a few drinks, can we enter now?"
The soldier saw the two gold coins, his face showed surprise. He glanced around and immediately took the two coins. He coughed once, his face becoming welcoming.
"Fine, you may enter."
The group stepped inside, Kazuka with an expression of joy. He remembered when he was selling meat, he saw an adventurer walking with another. His face was smug as he laughed loudly.
"You see? Money going first is wise money."
-"So now I finally understand what that sentence meant."
Going deeper inside, Kazuka turned back to face everyone.
"Let's do it like this. We'll split up to make it easier. Aoto and I will go buy a sword. You and Ayaka go buy a bow and arrows. Okay?"
Airi nodded and handed Kazuka a stack of gold coins with a concealing gesture to avoid the people around.
"Here are 15 gold coins, it should be more than enough. But you still must spend carefully, understand?"
Kazuka nodded.
"No need to worry about that."
"We also need to change clothes. Wearing these rags, we'll be seen as beggars. It makes communicating harder too."
Airi: "Yeah, so let's meet when the moon rises right here."
Kazuka and Aoto nodded and turned away. They walked while looking around.
"Let's buy clothes first, then we'll find a weapon forge."
Kazuka nodded.
"Exactly my thought."
They stepped before a shop that looked quite luxurious, very eye-catching decoration. Above was written: Royal Attire.
Below was a sign: Ceremonial Fashion, Noble Class.
"This seems to be the clothing store."
Kazuka and Aoto pushed the door open. The bell rang with soft sounds.
A middle-aged man in extremely elegant attire stepped out. His face carried contempt, his dull eyes looking at the two.
"Huh? Two beggar brats? What are you doing in here? Get out immediately."
Kazuka with an annoyed face, bored eyes looking at him.
-"Money going first is wise money."
Kazuka flicked a gold coin toward the man. He clumsily caught it, his face showing surprise.
"Oh, where did you brats steal this?"
Kazuka was flabbergasted when the old man said that. But Aoto jumped forward and pointed his finger straight at the man's face.
"Enough, I won't bother acting anymore. I am from the Inspection Team."
Kazuka was bewildered, but he understood there must be a reason. Kazuka stepped forward, his face turning arrogant. Although he didn't understand yet, he still acted along.
"Acted too much already, so I'm laying the cards out."
The shop owner was stunned knowing these were people from the Inspection Team checking the quality of shops.
-"Could it be a disguise? This isn't good, if they write a report that a noble shop of high quality is looking down on others like common rabble without manners, I'll be shut down."
Aoto with a smug face saw the confusion of the shop owner.
-"Haha, I knew it. This kingdom values these things highly. They consider the people a part of the nobility, and as a part, they must be treated fairly like commoners."
-"Before coming here, I asked around."
The shop owner immediately bowed low and lowered his voice.
"Ah, sincerely sorry. I knew you would come here to inspect. So I was intentionally acting. How was my acting, sir?"
Aoto with "no words" eyes looked at the shop owner; he truly had nothing left to say to this guy's excuse.
Seeing Aoto's look, he smiled lightly and pointed to the rows of clothing displayed luxuriously. Some sets were even kept in glass cabinets.
"You can examine my shop. My attire is very high quality. All made from high-grade animal fur or super monsters."
Aoto looked in the direction of the hand and observed.
"You know, we need to carefully examine your products to give the most accurate evaluation, then submit it. I need a few products from you."
The shop owner smiled lightly.
"Of course, sir, please help yourself."
Kazuka stood behind observing, he felt enlightened by Aoto.
-"So that's it, Aoto is so smart."
Aoto clasped his hands behind his back, showing an arrogant attitude.
"Now I will pick any four products from you randomly and will take two male outfits and two female outfits."
"Noble style but a bit simplified. This type often has fakes."
The shop owner still smiling led Aoto inside.
"Of course that's fine."
But he still had a bit of doubt.
"Four products? I remember usually they only take two. Has the inspection method been upgraded?"
Aoto walked a circle with the shop owner. His face was extremely serious and carried professionalism.
He slowly examined the outfits, then pointed at them. The shop owner respectfully took them down and carefully wrapped them in luxurious wooden boxes.
After a while, on the table were four boxes stacked on top of each other.
Aoto stood opposite the shop owner, face serious.
"I am quite satisfied with your service quality, very dedicated consultation. As for the products, we must return and examine them carefully."
He pondered Aoto's words. Then he pulled from his pocket a large bag, inside were many gold coins, and stuffed it into Aoto's hand.
"Then, I very much look forward to your evaluation of our products."
Aoto glanced down and smiled. He took the money bag and nodded.
"Fine, I can see just by looking that your products pass."
He joyfully rubbed his hands and bowed.
"Yes, sir."
Aoto turned away. Kazuka hugged the four wooden boxes and followed right after. Going outside a distance, Kazuka expressed admiration for Aoto.
"You're amazing, Aoto, we got them for free and were even given money."
Aoto tossed the money bag into the air and caught it, laughing smugly.
"Hahaha. Of course."
The two went into a dark alley with no one around and began to change.
"Let's change, later we must bring these to those two."
Kazuka stepped out from the alley with a new outfit on his body, completely different from the ragged appearance earlier. He wore an ivory white shirt woven from light silk, the collar had intricate silver embroidery running around down to the chest. The outer coat was a long dark blue cloak, with metallic threads running along the sleeves like sharp slashes. The black leather belt was neatly buckled with a metal wolf-head clasp, looking both neat and powerful.
The pants were moderately tight, the ends tucked neatly into shiny leather boots—the kind of boots Kazuka never thought he would wear. He kept bowing his head to look at his feet as if he couldn't believe they were his own legs.
Aoto was completely different. He wore a wine-red ceremonial suit, the cuffs had thin black lace, the collar standing slightly to create a haughty noble look. His outer coat had embroidered golden flower patterns, and behind was a short cape only to the hips—what Aoto called "increasing the aura." His hair was a bit messy, but his face wore a confident smile as if he had played a noble his whole life.
Kazuka turned to look at Aoto from head to toe, squinting.
"You look like the kind of prince who goes around... deceiving others."
Aoto crossed his arms, nose slightly upturned.
"That's the idea. Must look noble to the point no one dares ask anything."
Kazuka laughed but couldn't hide his awkwardness. He reached up to tug slightly at the collar, muttering:
"This collar... it's itchy."
Aoto patted his shoulder.
"Bear with it. Now when people look at you, they see a young man with money and status."
Kazuka snorted, shrugging.
"Just hope we get a sword before the noble role ends..."
The two stepped into a forge located at the end of a small street. The smell of hot metal and burning charcoal wafted from inside, the sound of the hammer striking steadily like the heartbeat of a giant beast.
Inside the shop, a muscular man, bare-chested, was diligently hammering a glowing red metal bar. Sweat covered his body. Hearing footsteps, he glanced out. Seeing two luxuriously dressed teenagers enter, his gaze changed from indifference to wariness.
He put down the hammer, voice raspy:
"What do the noble sirs need? Custom order or choose from stock?"
Aoto took a step forward, his tone calm but carrying a hint of noble fatigue:
"We are surveying some forges in the area for the noble manor. Recently there are too many low-skilled smiths, causing no small impact on the reputation and safety of the sword-forging world."
Kazuka stood behind, arms crossed, trying to keep a cold face while his eyes secretly scanned around to see if there was any sword to his liking.
The blacksmith was slightly startled. He scratched his head, gaze suspicious:
"Surveying? But... I thought the inspections were all finished?"
Aoto exhaled, shaking his head:
"That is exactly why we need to re-check. You don't want your name recorded on the blacklist for making junk, right?"
The man sweated, his voice much smaller:
"Then... how do you sirs want to inspect?"
Aoto glanced at Kazuka, seeing him standing next to a long, shiny sword. He nodded slightly then turned to the owner.
"Bring out the three best swords. I will check the sharpness and balance. If they pass, you will have a chance to become an official supplier."
Kazuka gently lifted the sword. Just touching it, he felt the stability the sword provided. It wasn't like common goods. It seemed this was a very good sword.
Aoto saw this and pointed:
"That one, and those two. Wrap them up, I'll take them back for inspection."
The blacksmith hesitated:
"But... normally there must be a confirmation paper or a deposit..."
Aoto said nothing, pulling from his sleeve a piece of old parchment with a faint seal—it looked quite like an authorization letter if one didn't look closely. He handed it over as a matter of course.
Actually, he had just picked it up from the trash on the way here.
"Here. Look closely."
The blacksmith glanced over, his face turning pale. He swallowed hard, not daring to ask further.
"Y-yes. Please wait a moment, sirs."
In no time, the three swords were carefully wrapped in black velvet, placed in three wooden boxes with small locks. Aoto nodded, said nothing more, and turned to leave. Kazuka hugged the sword boxes, following behind.
Out of the shop, the two stepped into a deserted small alley. Kazuka whispered while walking:
"You're amazing, Aoto. We didn't lose a single coin and got three good swords."
Aoto shrugged, laughing loudly:
"Hahaha. Of course. Must use the head."
Kazuka looked back at the sword in his hand, eyes flashing with seriousness.
"I find this sword might even be higher quality than my old one."
Aoto nodded.
"Good or not isn't important. Unless the sword has an ability, but you can tell it doesn't. Now just control energy well and a weak sword will become resilient."
Kazuka laughed:
"I know that too."
They kept walking. Kazuka with the new sword at his hip like a noble, left arm hugging two sword boxes. Aoto hugged the two boxes of attire prepared for the two girls.
Kazuka pointed at a small stall right at the edge of the road.
"Let's eat grilled meat."
Aoto nodded.
"Yeah, I'm hungry too."
"Besides, eating while staying in disguise is hard, so eating out here is reasonable."
The sky at this time turned dark, the moon had replaced the sun from afar. The starry sky appeared sparkling everywhere like celestial bodies.
Aoto and Kazuka walked while eating grilled meat skewers, faces joyful. Carrying a large bundle of skewers.
Kazuka, mouth full of food:
"So delicious."
Aoto nodded:
"Really delicious."
Finished eating, the two let out a long burp and rubbed their full, round stomachs.
A few steps later, they met Airi and Ayaka. The two sides stood opposite each other, looking at each other for a while.
Ayaka already had a new bow and a quiver behind her back. They wore simple clothes.
Contrary to the two girls, the two boys looked like two real nobles.
Airi was the first to speak, voice carrying a bit of reproach. Her face clearly showed discomfort.
"Explain, what is this about?"
Aoto stepped forward and handed Airi and Ayaka the two attire boxes.
"Here, take these."
Airi had a suspicious face; Ayaka opened hers first with surprise, eyes sparkling. Inside was a dress with beautiful patterns folded neatly inside.
Airi glanced over then turned back; her face showed she was prepared to interrogate the two.
But Kazuka knew, he raised his hand in front of Airi to signal her to stop.
"Let me tell you..."
After a while, Airi and Ayaka stepped out of the alley; Kazuka and Aoto were standing outside.
From the small alley, Airi and Ayaka stepped out slowly, each footstep seemingly making the street freeze for a moment.
Airi wore a long dark blue dress, the hem gently sweeping the ground with silver flower petal embroidery. The collar was high enough to keep an elegant air, long sleeves slightly slit at the wrists, revealing the thin white silk layer inside. Light from the roadside lamps reflected off each thread, making the whole dress shimmer in the night. Her hair was half-tied high, falling softly behind her back, with a simple leaf-shaped hairpin.
On her usually sharp face was a strange, mature steadiness. Airi looked no different from a prestigious young lady just stepping out of a grand manor gate.
Ayaka, on the contrary, was light and ethereal like a forest butterfly. She wore a slightly shorter dress, white mixed with light purple, with arrow patterns along the body. At the waist was a silk belt tied neatly, highlighting her slender figure. Behind her back were the quiver and the new bow—shiny and sophisticated—creating a strange combination of gentleness and battle-readiness.
Her purple hair was tied neatly on both sides with small purple ribbons. When the moonlight shone down, Ayaka looked like a little princess from a distant kingdom—innocent but not at all weak.
Kazuka pointed to the ground. There were two pairs of high heels placed ready for them.
Airi saw this, her gaze still had a bit of distaste, but not because her two friends deceived people, rather she hated these high-noble clothes. But since everyone was wearing them, she should too.
She leaned down to put on the high heels. She turned to Ayaka who was watching her, and Airi helped Ayaka put them on.
Airi crossed her arms, eyes glancing at Kazuka meaningfully.
"Deceiving people and you guys are happy, huh?"
Kazuka laughed sheepishly.
"Well... just a bit, surely it's okay."
Ayaka turned over, smiling lightly.
"Thank you. This dress... it's really beautiful. First time I've seen and worn it."
Aoto shrugged, baring his teeth in a self-satisfied grin:
"See? I knew it. My eye for clothes isn't bad."
Airi glanced around once.
"You guys wearing those clothes can easily fight, but it's hard for us."
Aoto handed over the money bag he had tricked from the clothing shop owner earlier. Airi took it and opened it, her eyes extremely surprised as inside were many gold coins shining in the night.
"So many."
Aoto smiled.
"You two take it to buy some outfits that are neat and for fighting."
Airi wiped her face and sighed.
"Haizzz, truly complicated."
The tiny Raiga crawled from Airi's hair, it let out a few "si si" sounds.
Kazuka saw this and understood, so he returned to the main point.
"Alright then, start tomorrow morning. We need to rest."
They went to a large inn under many gazes. Kazuka stepped forward to the counter. He was gradually becoming the representative, no longer Airi.
"Two rooms for us. Just for one night."
the elderly owner glanced at the four of them dressed like nobles. He handed over two large golden room keys.
"These are our best rooms, please go up and find rooms number 1 and 2."