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Volume 2 Chapter 22 - Rebecca’s Sense of Smell

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The next day after listening to [Lionel]'s party members at the bar and taking home a few bottles of liquor, Allen did as promised and went around Lilac City with Rebecca starting from morning.

“Hmm, it’s changed quite a bit.” (Rebecca)

“Is it?” (Allen)

Compared to Allen, who looked a little exhausted after being dragged around the city as part of his peddling duties, Rebecca was looking lively and having fun as they went around the shops.

Allen, who has lived in this city all his life, didn't think much had changed, but Rebecca nodded repeatedly and continued her words.

“Un. The shop just now had the son take over, and there were other places where the quality of their products had dropped, probably because the supplier had changed. The shops that Len-nii looks like you go to haven't changed that much, though.” (Rebecca)

“Heeh, you sure saw it well. As expected of a peddler.” (Allen)

“You're missing the ‘first-class’ part.” (Rebecca)

“Yes yes, first class, first class.” (Allen)

‘Ehhen,’ Rebecca puffed her chest out and made a proud gesture, but although it was clearly physically easier compared to the dungeon exploration he usually did, he felt that his other parts were being scraped away and Allen responded randomly.

* (T/N: ‘ehhen’ is what one usually says (mostly girls and kids, probably) when they’re being proud.)

Seeing Allen like that, Rebecca's expression broke and she started laughing.

“Haha, as usual, Len-nii is not good at shopping.” (Rebecca)

“No, I'm not. I shop normally, okay? Your shopping standard is just strange. How many times do you plan to go around?” (Allen)

“Umm, for today, all the shops in the south district?” (Rebecca)

“Give me a break.” (Allen)

As Rebecca said that while tilting her head, Allen put his hand on his face and lamented while looking up at the sky.

Lilac, being one of the leading cities in the Kingdom of Eliard, has quite a number of shops. Even if it was just in one of the four equal districts of the city, Allen didn't think it was sane to go around them in one day.

“It’s just a joke. I have an objective to some extent. Besides, Len-nii can also enjoy the feeling of going on a date with a cute girl.” (Rebecca)

“Even if you say cute girl, it’s still my younger sister after all.” (Allen)

“Isn’t it fine? It's perfect as a rehearsal for when you get a girlfriend. And if it’s with me, it won’t be a problem even if you fail.” (Rebecca)

Allen was not very enthusiastic about it, but Rebecca, her cheeks a little red, tried to stress it while adding hand gestures.

Seeing that, Allen thought ‘Why are you turning red?’ while having that doubt, but he just casually assumed that she was probably excited since she was going around the shops.

The truth was, Rebecca herself was embarrassed and blushed at Allen's attitude of admitting the fact that she was a cute girl without denying it.

“Then let's go to the next. Next is Len-nii's favorite lumber dealer.” (Rebecca)

“No, rather than favorite, they took care of me when it came to repairing the roof... come to think of it, Rebecca, you didn't ask me about any changes inside the house but, it’s not like you haven't noticed, right?” (Allen)

“Aah, that it was clean? Of course I noticed. What’s more, the wood is a bit nice, isn't it?" (Rebecca)

Rebecca's words had a subtle accent, making Allen wonder if she noticed that he was using treant building materials after all.

Rebecca was a peddler after all, and she was sharp in many ways, so Allen had predicted that she would have gained quite a bit of information while he was away from home, and that was exactly what happened.

“Un, that's also why I wanted to stop by the lumber dealer.” (Rebecca)

“No, I didn't buy those, I collected them myself.” (Allen)

Allen said as he tried to clear up the misunderstanding, but Rebecca laughed and shook her head to indicate that It’s not about that.

“I know that. I asked Nick-san too after all.” (Rebecca)

“Huh, you met Nick?” (Allen)

“Ah! Un. We just happened to run into each other on my way home. He kept bragging about Lily-chan to me.” (Rebecca)

When Rebecca unexpectedly mentioned Nick's name, Allen asked back, his eyes widened for a moment, and then Rebecca answered while giving a wry smile.

“Aah, how should I put it, thank you for your hard work.” (Allen)

“Un. That doting level makes you worry about Lily-chan's future, isn’t it? I think he'll probably mind her too much and will end up being hated.” (Rebecca)

“That's a harsh opinion. Well, I'll tell Nick next time.” (Allen)

Lily is a 5-year-old girl who is Nick's beloved daughter. She has the same red hair as Nick, and loosely wavy hair similar to her mother's that flutters as she moves, making her look like an angel, and her clear, flawless eyes are not inferior to a jewel, giving her a reputation as a beautiful girl.

Well, the one who said all of those was Nick though.

Even when he worked at the orphanage and when he was defeating treants on the 9th floor, Allen was told endless stories about Lily.

In Allen's head, he could see Nick gleefully telling Rebecca about Lily.

After all, although Allen himself doesn't know Lily that well, he still knows her hobbies, her favorite foods, insects she’s bad with, and even her favorite shoes.

He was so sure that Nick was trying to get him to give her a gift, but, having known Nick for a long time, Allen was well aware that Nick had no such intentions. He just wanted to talk about Lily.

If Lily would hate him as Rebecca said, he would be so desperate that Allen wouldn't know what he would do.

That's why Allen decided to get him to listen even if he had to be a little forceful. Because he didn’t want to see his best friend sad.

While Allen was thinking about that, they arrived at the lumber dealer and Rebecca looked at the products with great interest. Allen himself, while exchanging greetings with the familiar store clerk, was looking at the lumber that he would use for repairs.

There's not much need for it for the interior since it has been completely renovated using treant, but if it's left too long the exterior would crumble too much and it could become a problem.

That’s why Allen was planning to come here regularly, so this was just a ‘while I’m at it’ kind of thing.

After looking at some of the things he might need, Allen watched as Rebecca talked to the store clerk about something.

To Allen, the sight of her looked more like a regular resident coming to shop than a peddler. He might needlessly think that because the clerk was also laughing though.

After a while, Rebecca finished talking and approached Allen with a smile. Allen could tell that she was clearly in a better mood than when she entered the shop.

“Sounds like you've got a good thing happening.” (Allen)

“Un. I got a decent harvest. It wasn't the favorite though.” (Rebecca)

“Favorite?” (Allen)

At the way Rebecca said it as if that was the purpose of today's shop tour, Allen asked back. And in response, as if she were making small talk, Rebecca answered.

“Un. I think the favorite is just a bit after this. I just don't have enough connections. In the worst case scenario, I might rely on Len-nii.” (Rebecca)

“No, it doesn’t have to be the worst case scenario, you can rely on me.” (Allen)

“Hmm, I'll pass for now. I want to try my best on my own a bit more.” (Rebecca)

Seeing Rebecca saying that while letting out a huff and flexing her bicep, Allen stopped himself from saying anything further. It would be meaningless to interfere with Rebecca when she was so motivated, and it seemed like it was a matter of Rebecca's pride as a peddler.

That’s why Allen just watched Rebecca with gentle eyes. ‘I'll quit it for now,’ he thought, hoping to be relied on someday. Convincing himself that it’s enough to do his best when that day comes.

“So, what are you going to do? Are we still going to go around the shops? It's almost noon, so I wish we could just eat somewhere and take a break.” (Allen)

When Allen said that a little jokingly, Rebecca gave a big smile, as if she had been waiting for just this.

It was a perfect smile that wouldn’t embarrass her no matter where she showed it, but for some reason, Allen felt a chill run through him and his whole body trembled.

“I want to go to [Garden of Sunbeams].” (Rebecca)

“[Garden of Sunbeams]? You, isn’t that a high-class restaurant that can compete for the number one or two spot in Lilac?!” (Allen)

“You’re missing the ‘for commoners’ part.” (Rebecca)

Allen was astonished when he heard the words [Garden of Sunbeams], but Rebecca added some words while looking like she had succeeded in pranking him.

As Allen said, that restaurant was a high-class restaurant that could compete for the number one or two spot that boasted high prices among Lilac's dining options. Of course, it wasn't a restaurant that nobles would go to, so there was no dress code, it was the kind of restaurant that commoners would go to on special occasions.

It was rumored that all its menu items were well over 10 times more expensive than the restaurants Allen usually went to, so of course there was no way Allen had ever been to such a place.

“No, that might be true... but still. Besides, weren’t you the one who said that my expenses were too high yesterday?” (Allen)

“Well, sure. But getting to know these kinds of restaurants is also an experience. It might come in handy someday.” (Rebecca)

“You say that, but I bet you just want to eat there.” (Allen)

Allen stared at Rebecca with stern eyes. In response to that, Rebecca averted her gaze while pretending that nothing was wrong. There was a smile on her lips, and Allen naturally realized that he was being teased.

“We won’t go there. Rebecca, keep your jokes in moderation.” (Allen)

“Eh, I wasn't joking. It’s true that I was teasing you though.” (Rebecca)

“What about the money? I think I’ve got enough on hand but, not to brag, but I can't guarantee it.” (Allen)

“That’s really not something to brag about.” (Rebecca)

Allen watched intently as Rebecca burst into laughter. The next words that came out of Rebecca's mouth made Allen unable to comprehend her for a while.

“It’ll be my treat.” (Rebecca)

“Ha?” (Allen)

“I have a small amount of money. In exchange, I have a proposal for Len-nii. Would you accept my request with this as the advance payment?” (Rebecca)

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