“Alright, let’s go pick up the mantle I ordered.”
After parting ways with Karna and Clarice at the Adventurer Guild, where they had confirmed their Level Up, the two of us hurried through the now night-time city towards the weapon and armor shop.
Karna mentioned that a party member had fallen ill due to a message from her husband, while Clarice had suddenly received a Revelation, the words of which were something along the lines of:
“Sorry, my source material is too old, like ‘Showa-era Time Shock’.”
She had apparently returned to the Church of the Goddess to analyze these nonsensical words, claiming they were from an entity above even the Goddess herself, and that she sensed a sense of urgency.
“It’s better if it’s just the two of us at the inn, isn’t it? I wouldn’t want to attack you as soon as we get to the room.”
“Please, don’t apologize in advance! You’ll just make it a certainty!”
I believed she would stop if I truly refused, but I also knew she would look quite dejected if I did. What’s more, terrifyingly, a part of me actually wanted to be attacked, despite everything.
“Speaking of which, the reason we’ve been preparing until today was because you were waiting for the mantle, right?”
“Indeed. With this, all my equipment will be complete. I can wear my Bikini Armor constantly now.”
Upon arriving at the mantle shop, a flamboyant, almost seductive lady with a blue beard approached us with a smile from the back.
“Oh, I’ve been expecting you.”
“So, the item is ready then?”
“It arrived this afternoon. It’s fast because this is a church city, you see.”
She beckoned us to follow her to the back. If I were alone, I wouldn’t have dared follow so readily out of fear.
“Oh, this is…”
“It ended up looking more like a robe, but it’s a mantle.”
It was made of jet-black, high-quality fur, with a hood fashioned from the same material.
“It’s larger than I imagined. Deles, try it on first.”
“Yes. Since it’s a mantle, I can wear it as I am now, right?”
“That’s right.”
When she put it on and wrapped herself in it, she was completely covered down to her feet. With the hood up, she looked like a small, mysterious magician, or rather, an illusionist.
“If my face were completely hidden, I’d look like an illusionist.”
“How does it feel when you move?”
“Um, wow! It’s light! My body feels so incredibly light!”
When she hopped around, her body felt remarkably light! Even though nothing was cast, it felt like the ‘Rapid Pace’ magic had been applied. This meant that if magic were cast on top of this, it would be even more incredible!
“This is amazing, Shopkeeper! It’s incredible!”
“Heh, thank you. By the way, my name is Gerald.”
“Mr. Gerald, what’s going on with this?”
“The magic that rare classes like Hero and Sage possess naturally flows into this fur.”
“Is that why? I feel like I could leap anywhere with this!”
It was an exaggeration, but that’s how incredible it felt.
“Deles, please keep your face visible.”
“Ah, yes… Mm, it doesn’t change whether I wear the hood or not.”
“Shopkeeper, does this depend on magic consumption?”
“It doesn’t decrease. It’s as if it’s integrated with the equipment, or rather, the recovery rate exceeds the consumption, which is minimal.”
“I see. Then it’s my turn to try it on… Ah, give me a moment, I’ll put it on by myself.”
For some reason, I was left alone with Gerald.
“Um, Mr. Gerald, is this a mantle, a robe, or a coat?”
“Good question. First, you can consider coats and robes to be almost the same thing.”
“Then what’s the difference between a mantle and a robe?”
“A mantle is fastened at the neck and simply worn over the shoulders; for adventurers, it’s primarily worn as a medium for magical enchantment. A robe is something to wear, with sleeves and often a hood, like wearable equipment such as armor or clerical garb.”
“So, this is a mantle? Or a robe?”
She spread out my spare to show me.
“It doesn’t have sleeves, does it? That makes it a mantle, even with the hood.”
“I see, so that’s how it is.”
“By the way, I was asked to make regular sizes, so I’ve made two that are full robes as well.”
Indeed, there were also fully robed versions with sleeves.
“If I wear the robed version with sleeves and then put on the mantle version, would my abilities double?”
“Impossible. If it’s the same Hero, they’re using that person’s magic, so even if the medium increases, the abilities remain the same.”
“Oh, I see. That makes sense.”
“Took you long enough.”
“Ms. Nina!”
Nina, a huge woman, was now completely enveloped in the mantle. She looked even more alluring than usual, more so than in a bathrobe.
“Shopkeeper, this is excellent.”
“Right? Right?”
“Yes, this way it’s even easier to move.”
When she spread the mantle, underneath it was a Bikini Armor!
“Oh, how wonderful.”
“Guh!!”
I nearly choked from the sheer shock! While my previous appearance was that of a suspicious illusionist, Nina’s was that of a completely seductive woman. This was dangerous, I was going to be devoured!
“Ho ho, I see what’s happening.”
“Huh? Mr. Gerald, what do you mean?”
“This Bikini Armor also protects the body by channeling the wearer’s magic, and its synergy with this mantle makes that flow even easier.”
“So, that means…”
“Your movement and defense are likely increased compared to wearing them separately.”
Terrifying. Despite its appearance, its abilities were greatly enhanced.
“I like it. It seems durable.”
“Indeed. If it were torn apart, that’s another matter, but minor damage will be automatically repaired by magic.”
“And what about the regular sized ones?”
“Here they are. Two mantles and two robes. What do you want to do?”
“Then I’ll take one of each type. Please buy back the rest.”
Gerald, looking pleased, put two away. Her perfume smelled unnecessarily good.
“Alright, the price will be fifty gold coins, taking into account the remainder.”
“That’s cheap.”
“The materials were provided, and while the processing fee is high, I feel like it should be zeroed out in my mind since you’ve obtained such amazing mantles and robes. However, this is a business, so I’ll charge for the work done.”
“Thank you, Mr. Gerald. I hope they sell well.”
“I’ll display this mantle as a symbol of the shop, it’s not for sale. The robes will be in an auction.”
She handed me the spare mantle, the regular mantle and robe, along with the remaining Sexy Panther fur, which I placed into my Item Box.
“Shopkeeper, isn’t it a shame to have the display piece not for sale?”
“Not at all. It shows my processing skill, and not being for sale means its price is unquantifiable, which in turn means it can sell for an unlimited amount.”
“So, there’s a possibility of selling it if a customer insists?”
“I wouldn’t be against it, but I won’t sell it for at least six months. I’ll announce that the robes will be in the auction and let them compete.”
“You’re quite clever. I’m glad we chose a good shop.”
Nina and Gerald clasped hands firmly. Then, the blue-bearded lady shook my hand gently. Oh, no winking!
“Well, see you again! Thank you!”
On the way to the inn, Nina and I headed back, still clad in our Sexy Panther Mantles.
“Wow, I really feel so light!”
“I’m scared just how light I am. We might need to make another day to test this equipment.”
“An additional preparation period? Indeed, if we were to search for a boss on the first day with this equipment, we might dive too deep.”
We definitely needed to get accustomed to it.
“For now, let’s try it out on the bed tonight.”
“Huh? Such a use for it? Ah! Did you make a spare just for that?”
“Heh, heh, heh heh heh…”
Ah, the switch has been flipped. I should prepare myself when we get to the inn.
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I am reflecting.
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