We’re in the capital, may as well shop, was the consensus — or rather, decision. Three women and one me. Of course. The vote went 3-1.
We stowed the carriage at an inn (paid a storage fee since we weren’t staying) and agreed to meet here in three hours.
The three would stick together; I split off. Bag-carrying, no thanks. I had things to buy.
I checked the map. Big. Even searchable. Armor… shops…
The map dropped pins. Closest one — directly in front of me?
Looked up. A shield-sign hanging right above me. Didn’t need the search.
“Welcome.”
Inside: every type of shield, armor, gauntlet, helm. Behind the counter a kindly-looking owner smiled.
“Mind if I browse?”
“Of course. Pick anything up.”
I went down the rows. I’d bought a sword on my first guild request, but the armor purchase had been on hold. Good time. In the capital, ideally a quality piece.
But what kind. Mobility was my priority, so heavy plate didn’t fit. Full plate, way too restrictive.
So: leather, or light armor.
“Excuse me — what’s the best armor you’ve got here? Non-metallic, that is.”
“Non-metallic? Then this — speckled-rhino armor.”
“Speckled rhino?”
“As the name says, a rhinoceros with speckled markings. The hide makes leather armor far stiffer than usual.”
I knuckled it. Solid.
“Still inferior to metal armor?”
“Yes — without a magic enchantment applied, generally.”
Magic enchantment. Items with magical effects baked in. Extremely rare — ancient ruins, fallen-noble heirlooms. Hard to come by.
“Got anything enchanted?”
“Not in this store. That stuff is steep. Berkut on East Street might have some — they’re patronized by nobility, though.”
The owner’s expression said unlikely access. Patronized by nobility… hmm. Wait—
“Could this get me in?”
“What’s this — that’s the duke’s seal!? You’re tied to the duke house!?”
I showed him the medal. His face changed colors.
“In that case, no problem. If the duke house vouches for you, you’re in.”
I tipped him in silver for the consultation and left. Toward Berkut, with the map.
Walking the capital was eye-opening for one thing in particular: not just humans here.
The collective term demihumans covered a lot of subspecies. Most striking: beastfolk.
I hadn’t seen any in Reflet, but here — scattered through the crowd. Not the half-man-half-bull minotaur kind. Closer to: human body, animal ears and tail.
For instance, the fox-girl approaching me. Aside from ears and tail, indistinguishable from human. Long golden hair, with matching ears on top, black-tipped. Behind, a fluffy gold tail with white tip.
Two sets of ears actually — also human-positioned ears as well as the top ones. Linze had mentioned beastfolk use them for main/secondary purposes; I didn’t know the details.
…The fox-girl was looking around frantically. Lost? Worried face. Why isn’t anyone helping her? Big cities, even here.
Right. Let me say something.
“Excuse me — is something wrong?”
“E-eep! What — yes!?”
She stumbled the word, eyes wide. Please calm down, I’m not a creep — I’m not, right? — this much fear is dispiriting.
“You looked like you were having trouble. Just checking.”
“Ah — um — I, I got separated from the people I came with…”
Lost, indeed.
“If we got separated we agreed to meet at this place, but I — I don’t know where it is…”
Her ears and tail drooped.
“Where was the meeting spot?”
“Um… I think it was a magic shop called Luca.”
Magic shop Luca. I pulled the phone, searched. Got it. Right on the way to Berkut.
“I can walk you there. I’m going the same way.”
“R-really!? Thank you!”
Tripped on the word again. Endearing. Younger than the twins — twelve or thirteen.
We walked together. Her name was Arma.
“Touya-san, you’re here sightseeing?”
“Work, actually. Done now. You?”
“My sister’s work, I tagged along. Wanted to see the capital.”
Smile bright. Like she’d been a completely different person earlier.
We chatted as we walked. The magic shop came into view, with a beastfolk woman standing tense outside it. The woman noticed us and ran over.
“Arma!”
“Sis!”
Arma sprinted into her sister’s arms. Of course, fox-beastfolk too. Older, more composed. A crisp demeanor — almost military.
“I was worried sick! Don’t just vanish—”
“Sorry. Touya-san walked me back, so I was fine.”
She finally noticed me and bowed deeply.
“My sister was in your care. Thank you.”
“Glad to be of help.”
She offered to thank me properly; I declined — this was nothing. I left after light pleasantries. Arma waved until I was out of sight.
Heading toward Berkut, the buildings and shops got steadily more polished. The shop came into view.
“Looks expensive…”
Brick storefront. Strict-looking facade. Brand boutique vibes.
Out of my league? Might get turned away at the door. Although there was no gatekeeper. Doesn’t hurt to try.
I pushed the ornate door open. A young woman staff member greeted me immediately.
“Welcome to Berkut. Is this your first visit?”
“Yes — first time.”
“Do you have proof of station — a guarantor’s documentation, or a letter of introduction?”
Refer-only. I produced the duke’s medal. The staff member, unlike the armor-shop owner earlier, didn’t react with shock — only a deep bow.
“Confirmed. Thank you. May I ask what you’re looking for today?”
“I’d like to see enchanted armor.”
“Of course. This way.”
She led me to a corner of the shop where bejeweled armor sat next to what looked like plain cheap leather gloves. Range of value.
“All of these are enchanted?”
“Yes. This Silver-Mirror Shield reflects attack magic. The Gauntlets of Strength grant strength buffs.”
I can feel the magic on them, I realize. When did I become able to sense magic? Probably the god-effect.
“What sort of piece were you looking for?”
“Non-metallic — lightweight and durable.”
“Then perhaps this leather jacket — enchanted with blade resistance, fire resistance, lightning resistance.”
Decent — but the glittery flair and dragon embroidery on the back were too much.
I noticed a white coat in the corner of the shop. A long coat with fur trim at collar and cuffs.
“This one?”
“Blade resistance, heat resistance, cold resistance, impact resistance, and very high anti-magic resistance to attack magic. There is, however… a catch.”
“Catch?”
“The anti-magic effect only activates for elements the wearer has aptitude for. And — for elements the wearer doesn’t have, damage from those elements is doubled.”
So: a Fire-aptitude wearer gets fire resistance, but if they lack the Wind aptitude, they get worse lightning damage. Double-edged. Useful against a single-element opponent; risky against a varied one.
Doesn’t matter for me, though. I had all elements.
“Mind if I try it on?”
“Please.”
I lifted the coat, felt the texture. Tried it on. Right size. Moved around — no restriction, no discomfort. Sold.
“How much?”
“This is — discounted — eight gold.”
About 800,000 yen. That’s discounted. Steep. But the effects justified it. My sense of money is calibrating off.
“I’ll take it. Payment, here.”
“Platinum, certainly. One moment please.”
She returned with two gold on the silver tray as change. I pocketed them and headed for the door.
“Thank you. We hope to see you again.”
I left Berkut. Good armor secured. Pricey, but.