A Glimpse of the Truth

Karina-chan here. I procured the lotion — I have no more business in this town!

I departed from the port town of Véraldo—

 

 

—or so it would seem; after leaving through the gate, I teleported back inside the town.

See, I need my Solasidore arrival to be 5–8 days from now. Too much alone time is boring — unhealthy, even. You get it, right?

Oh, and of course I took a delivery request bound for Solasidore at the Adventurers' Guild. Gotta earn that sweet pocket money. The cargo is in storage space, so I can enjoy sightseeing in Véraldo with a light heart.

To avoid leaving a money trail, I sealed my ID and converted 7 silvers into cash beforehand as my budget for this stay.

If I spend it all, I'll retreat to storage space and chill alone until it's time to "arrive" in Solasidore.

I also want to try modding the massager — whoops, I mean the toy — I bought from the alchemy shop!

First order of business: seafood, like a proper port town!

If possible, I'd also like to acquire some girl's socks. I'd like at least one dose of the period-skip pill…

But asking for socks directly seems tough. I'm willing to pay money, but it's the shame part that's the sticking point…

"To the stalls!"

Food stalls lined the street, the smell of grilled squid and shellfish wafting in the air. Quite lively.

Oh! Scallops! … With butter!? Makes me crave soy sauce… and sake.

Wait — there's no soy sauce here, but I do have the wine I wrung out of those pirates yesterday.

Seafood pairs with white wine, right? Ah, but given my drinking habits, daytime drinking out in public is a bad idea.

In that case, I'll buy the hot-off-the-grill scallops and take them "to go" and drink at home!

"Mister! Two scallops!"

"You got it!"

I suppressed my desire to eat on the spot, bought the scallops, and pretended to slip them into my backpack while actually storing them away. Don't forget the camouflage of placing them in a small wooden box.

"Huh? Not eating here? I'd rather you eat 'em while they're hot."

"Hm? Ah, a gift. I'll reheat them at home."

"I see. Well, don't blame me if your stomach rebels."

"I know, I know."

Time doesn't pass inside, so it's fine.

Yup, buying a backpack was the right call. Those DIY wooden boxes too.

"By the way, where can I buy fresh fish?"

"Morning market, though it's over now… There's a general fishmonger too."

"I might go. Can you tell me where?"

"Sure, the place is…"

Having bought some scallops from the old man, he helpfully told me all sorts of things.

Could be because I'm pretty! Or both.

"Thanks! Any other recommended stalls?"

"Kraken-grill. Stay away from merman-grill — too gnarly."

"Kraken is basically squid, so fine. Merman — I'll pass."

And thus I asked each stall for recommendations and bought heaps of seafood — several servings each.

… Oh?

A beautiful vendor!

"Oh my, miss. Will you buy our seaside stew too? Can you really eat that much?"

"I'm bringing it to a place full of hungry kids. It'll be fine."

"I see. An orphanage?"

"Something like that."

Bandana on her head, short pants — she had pirate vibes, and she was gorgeous.

This promises a nice SP return!!

Friendly type too. Maybe if I asked, I could get her socks… I steeled myself and popped the question.

"By the way, lovely lady… this is sudden and probably surprising, but… would you sell me your socks!?"

"Huh!? S-socks?"

"I'll pay! I need a beautiful woman's socks to treat my sick little sister!"

"What kind of sickness is that!?"

Probably something wrong with the brain.

"Er, like, as an ingredient for a magic potion or something?"

"Ah, got it. Potion material… Sorry, I can't sell my socks."

"I'll pay a mid silver!"

"That's not it — I'm wearing sandals. I don't own anything as fancy as socks. Sorry."

"Wha… what…?"

I learned a truth about the world.

Just because a beauty is a beauty doesn't mean she wears socks…!