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Volume 2 Chapter 35 - Choosing a Gift

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The morning after receiving the reward for the treant building materials from Rebecca, Allen was walking around the city by himself.

It wasn’t without purpose. He was looking for a farewell gift to give to Rebecca.

Well, Allen didn't come up with the idea voluntarily, rather, the person herself brought it up, what’s more, she sent him out half forcibly, adding ‘Get one for Matilda-san who had been taking care of you as well.’

“No, I was planning to prepare something even if she didn’t tell me, but I guess saying it herself is just like Rebecca.” (Allen)

While complaining about such things, Allen randomly wandered around the shops that were open.

This was almost time for the shops to open, but most of them were serving food, so although he had just eaten breakfast, the smell wafting from the shops made Allen's stomach growl.

Smiling bitterly at that, Allen went into a nearby bakery and bought a light meal of vegetables and meat sandwiched between bread that was sold for breakfast, and munched on it as he resumed his wandering around the shops.

“Hmm, considering that she’s traveling, small ones are better... no, Rebecca has a magic bag, so I guess a certain size is okay. But using it for business is the most important, so something too bulky isn’t good, right?” (Allen)

Allen looked at the products at various stores while mumbling such words.

Allen had little experience buying gifts in the first place. Even the few he had were mostly for adventurers, so he was able to predict to some extent what they might need.

However, this time he was choosing a farewell gift for Rebecca and a thank you gift for Matilda. He lacked experience in that area.

‘I wonder if there’s something good,’ he thought as he searched, but before he knew it, his eyes ended up drawn to only practical things that made him think ‘This seems like it’ll make traveling easier’ or ‘This can be used for things like cleaning’.

Of course, Allen was no fool. He knew that's not what they wanted. But he had no idea what was good.

“Aah, I might as well leave it to the clerk.” (Allen)

Allen, who had been wandering around various shops for nearly two hours since morning and had been hesitating, came out of the shop he had been looking at until just now with a slightly haggard face.

The expression on his face was even worse than the one after going to the bottom of the Demon Dungeon and facing the dungeon's boss, the ogre king.

“Huh, Allen-san?” (Iseria)

“Hm. Iseria-san, huh? Are you going to a dungeon now?” (Allen)

“Yes, I'm planning on doing some light exploration while training. More importantly, what’s wrong? You seem considerably tired.” (Iseria)

When Iseria called out to him, Allen replied lightly. She was wearing her light armor and other equipment for going to a dungeon, so it was clear that Iseria was about to head to one after this.

At that instant, an idea occurred to Allen. The idea that, ‘Being a fellow woman, wouldn’t Iseria have some good ideas for gifts?’

(Iseria seems to be rich, and she seems to have quite a lot of experience receiving gifts. Yeah, isn't this good?) (Allen)

Allen nodded his head once, and when he was convinced with his idea, he immediately tried to ask her... and then stopped himself.

Iseria was trying to do her best to achieve her goal. Of course, given Iseria's personality, Allen knew that if he asked her, she would be kind enough to give him advice. But he restrained himself, thinking that ‘I can’t just take up the time of such a person.’

(Besides, there's no point in giving them if I don't choose them.) (Allen)

Thinking like that, Allen smiled. When Iseria looked at him curiously, Allen waved his hand and responded.

“No, don't worry about it. Then don't push yourself too hard. It's not something I should say to a gold class adventurer though.” (Allen)

“Thank you for your concern. I will do my best.” (Iseria)

Iseria made a strong fist to show her enthusiasm, and then left, and after seeing her off for a while, Allen resumed his wandering around the shops.

In the end, he still couldn't decide even when it was almost noon, he regretted not asking Iseria for advice just a bit.

.

.

.

“I’m going first, she said, isn’t going together fine?” (Allen)

As noon turned into evening, Allen was walking towards the [Garden of Sunbeams], grumbling something like that on the streets crowded with people shopping for food and other ingredients, perhaps in preparation for dinner.

Allen managed to decide on a gift and went home after buying it in the afternoon, but Rebecca wasn't home and a letter was left on the table.

What was written there was,

[I have some business to take care of, so I'll finish it and go first.

Len-nii should dress properly and go to the [Garden of Sunbeams] on time. It’ll feel more special that way.

Also, definitely don’t forget the gift.]

That message.

Following the instructions in that message, Allen was dressed differently today than usual.

Rather than prioritizing ease of movement and comfort, his clothes were crisp and formal, similar to those worn by civil servants.

This was something Allen purchased after much deliberation, thinking that since Eric became a noble, he might not be able to meet him as casually as before.

By the way, the final deciding factor was the store clerk's comment that since it was made of monster material, its defensive performance was guaranteed.

As soon as Allen bought it, he realized that there was no way he would fight in such an outfit, which made him feel a little depressed.

In the inside pocket of those clothes of Allen were gifts for Rebecca and Matilda.

After much hesitation, what Allen purchased for the two of them were necklaces with a small jewel on the top of the pendant.

Allen more or less matched their image and chose the one with a yellow jewel for Rebecca and the one with a sky blue jewel for Matilda.

Of course, Allen didn’t know anything about jewelry, so he didn’t even know what type of jewel they were. He just chose things that looked good for around 50,000 zenny, which would be the same amount as the meal cost.

Allen chose necklaces partly because they were small and didn't take up much space, but the main reason was because he thought they could just sell it if they didn't like it.

Allen also knew that these kinds of jewelry generally don't lose value and are sometimes used in place of cash.

When he was thoroughly lost and exhausted, he suddenly saw a jewelry store and remembered that, and decided that ‘it can only be here!’ Even after he entered, he was confused as to what price range was appropriate though.

Feeling the small weights on his inner pocket, Allen recalled those as he walked, and he arrived at the [Garden of Sunbeams] a little before the appointed time.

Unlike during the day when it was okay to wear casual clothes, the restaurant was filled with people dressed in almost formal attire similar to Allen's, and they were having fun chatting with each other as they ate their meals.

Inwardly giving his gratitude to Rebecca, Allen behaved naturally as if it were a matter of course, and after telling a male waiter his name, he guided him inside and he followed after him.

And at the table he was guided to, Matilda was the only one there. Her appearance captivated Allen. It was completely different from her usual guild employee uniform and from the time when they went to the church to get the bed just the other day.

Although she was dressed in simple formal attire consisting of a deep blue sleeveless dress and a beige back tulle bolero, it greatly enhanced Matilda's adult charm.

The reason why Matilda wore such clothes and no particular accessories was because she thought that Rebecca would be the main character this time, but Allen had no way of knowing that.

“Ara, Allen. You're wearing an unusual outfit.” (Matilda)

“O-ou. I just needed it for something. I didn't expect to wear it today though.” (Allen)

“I see. It looks quite good on you.” (Matilda)

“You too, Matilda, um, it looks good on you.” (Allen)

“Fufu, thank you.” (Matilda)

Matilda and Allen exchanged those words as they sat on chairs pulled by the man who serves as a guide. In contrast to Matilda who was relaxed, Allen was so shaken that he couldn't respond well to her words.

Since he was just told that he looked good, he should have responded in a witty way, but instead he just parroted her compliment, showing how shaken he was.

Even if he wasn't shaken, Allen was ignorant of fashion, so it might be the same though.

After taking a seat and taking a gulp of the water provided, Allen calmed down considerably and he checked his surroundings.

Rebecca was nowhere to be seen, and there was nothing on the empty seat at their table, so it didn't seem like she had just left her seat for a while.

“Rebecca hasn’t come?” (Allen)

“She hasn’t. I was sure she'd come with you, Allen.” (Matilda)

“No, that girl left a letter saying she had some business to take care of, so she went first. Maybe that business just ran long.” (Allen)

‘What a hopeless girl,’ Allen said with a wry smile, at which Matilda smiled. That’s when the male waiter who had just guided Allen to their table came over to them.

“May I get you something to drink?” (Waiter)

“I’ll just get some random one that fits the course, how about you, Matilda?” (Allen)

“I don’t have any particular preferences either, so I’ll get the same as Allen.” (Matilda)

“Understood.” (Waiter)

Drawing on his experience of coming in during the day the other day, Allen finished his order without a hitch, and after listening to it, the waiter took down the knife and fork that had been prepared at the empty seat.

Allen panicked at that and waited.

“Sorry. She’s late, but there's one more person scheduled to come.” (Allen)

When Allen told him this, the male waiter smiled back, and without stopping, he collected everything that had been placed on the empty seat.

Then, he quickly took out a piece of paper from his chest and held it out to Allen.

“It was entrusted to me by Rebecca-sama.” (Waiter)

“T-thank you.” (Allen)

“Now, I'll be bringing your drinks, so if you'll excuse me.” (Waiter)

After saying that, the male waiter left with a smile on his face, then, after seeing him off, Allen scanned the letter he had received, and instinctively crushed it in his hands.

What was written in that letter was completely unexpected by Allen.

[By the time Len-nii reads this letter, I will have already left this city. Just kidding. Are you surprised that I didn't come? Ah, it's true that I’m outside the city.

The letter said I have some business to take care of, so I’ll go first, but I didn't say where, did I? Besides, I never said anything about going to the [Garden of Sunbeams]. I notified them properly, you know.

By the way, I also told Matilda-san that Len-nii was going, but I never said anything about me going. So I didn’t lie. You two just misunderstood this on your own.

With that being the case, there will be no third wheel bothering you, so you can enjoy your meal together. Then, see you later.

To my beloved demon lord, from the considerate and cute little sister.]

Matilda stared at the empty seat at the table for a short while, then tilted her head to the side, not understanding why, and stared at Allen, who returned a wry smile and let out a big sigh.

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