章 48: Chapter 48: Shopping With The Girls
Classes ended with no further events. However, since knowing about Altair, the look in Esther's eyes until the end of class was strange.
"I don't know what Mira and Carmilla are doing. Shall we visit the city?"
Alice was in her Arachne form as she walked above him on the ceiling and walls. She was using her hands to swing webs around like whips imitating the students' training outside the window.
'She really is cute when quiet.' He thought, watching Alice as Altair's body leaned into his arms.
Many other nobles and servants disliked her actions. She didn't care. She only focused on the future and the consequences of rejecting the Elven moon goddess.
'Those ministers aren't the problem. Nelvana is the one who controls them through the priestess. I'm sure they will do everything to avoid me meeting my sister, or her believing me.'
Altair held onto his arm with a firm grip. She was worried about meeting with her sister. Her thoughts made him remember the event at the tournament.
'Siesta, can you hide my thoughts about her sister's death, please? I don't want her to worry even more. I will tell her later.'
[Sorry Lucian, even if you wished to tell her. The Celestial Laws have blocked the information.]
'Celestial Law? So I can only deal with the event alone?'
Lucian was confused and wanted some clarity from her.
He hoped it wasn't something that could just smite him without even knowing.
[It's a law created by the higher gods that stops all gods from directly interfering with mortals. This includes information.]
[That's why the Elves moon goddess candidate Nelvana used Mira and Altair as her pawns.]
'I see... So It won't just smite me?'
[No, even if you were a god, it cannot touch you... You aren't supposed to exist...]
Her voice trailed off towards the end as she closed the communication. Lucian believed she would one day trust him enough to open up to him about some things she hides.
She gave him some valuable information about himself, though.
'I shouldn't exist.. That's enough for now. I hope she can explain what it means to me one day...'
The thought should have filled him with depression, fear, maybe even desperation.
However, to him, this sentence felt distant and unrelated to him. It was like he was reading about a novel protagonist and not himself.
Since opening another seal he now felt over 30% of a normal person's emotions. This was nothing in reality though and only seemed to allow him to fit in easier and nothing of real benefits to himself.
He felt it was important, but didn't directly affect him at this moment.
He grasped Altair to feel more relaxed about his situation as they approached the exit of a large tunnel that lead from their classroom to the south exit.
This exit would lead them close to the merchant's district within the Human quarter, although it was the human quarter. Dwarves were the ones who ran most of the shops.
'I hope the three sisters can meet up soon... However, during the first year tournament, the Elven queen will be here! I know she won't miss Mira's first tournament!'
Altair could feel her master's rugged hands stroke her arms, which filled her with hope as a glimpse of information entered her mind that her sister, the queen, would attend the tournament.
His obvious actions made her feel grateful. She stood on her tiptoes, kissing his cheek with a light peck, leaving a light pink glossy mark. Now walking with a skip in her steps.
"Hehe! Thank you. Let's get shopping M-a-s-t-e-r!"
She had become far more uplifted and started frolicking around the busy streets, slightly away from him. He didn't need to worry, as the teacher had given them all a special parting gift.
The gift was a small sponge lens that worked similar to her magic tool. [Identification Contact Lens] This lens would fuse with your eyes to allow you to see the threat levels of any surrounding people. Though it didn't have many options.
This lens didn't show detailed information like the percentages or their alignment. However, it showed both status and skills, so it was a very handy gift.
'That sensual lamia is very rich... One of these is 50 silver. She bought nearly 20 as a greeting present.'
"Oh, well... Hmmm? Von Silver Mercenary Group?"
His eyes fixated on a small building made of stone and wood. A group of Arachne girls were painting the outside in black and white, leaving a space for their insignia.
'Strange... I wonder if there are lawyers in this world to sue them for using my family name?'
Lucian was curious to check out the store because he thought it was paradise.
However, Altair was now in the distance looking at various fruits and veg. I was sure some of the Arachne were calling Alice who perched on my back almost half sleeping with her eight legs wrapped around my torso.
"The princess!"
"Master!?"
"Shhhh!"
'Well, her people haven't forgotten her even after losing their homeland! What nice spider girls. They seem to be slaves?'
One girl mentioned a master, but I couldn't see him. Two others dragged the girl away.
'Should I purchase them and make them into my personal Arachne maid force?'
Lucian shook his head once again, looking towards Altair, who was now carrying several paper bags of goods. She felt like a young housewife currently and it amused him as he watched her seeming to haggle.
'I really want to buy those Arachne girls! Siesta, please remember this location! After the tournament end let us return!'
He thought about them in his mind like a movie where his Arachne maids would skitter along the walls like perfect maids by day. Then hunt monsters and criminals by night in tight black leather armour.
[Yes... Of course...]
Siesta's voice was holding back laughter, as she knew exactly who they were. His thoughts mirrored what Marina had thought.
[How will he react when he sees all the other Arachne girls?] (Muted voice to herself)
'Oh well! Let's continue on. I've not shopped in... Years'
Since he couldn't buy them now, he switched over his mind and looked forward to chase after Altair. She was looking at aprons. The old lady seemed like a hard opponent as they bartered.
"I'll give you six bronze coins and throw in that extra cleaning cloth!" Altair said with a confident voice.
The old woman stroked her chin with sparse white whiskers. Her mouth, missing many teeth, spun into a smile as she put up a single finger.
"How about eight bronze coins? I'll pack some extra underwear for the handsome man behind you?"
Lucian was commentating this event in his mind like a sports event. He found the battle between these two women was very interesting. This caused him to decide on finding a new hobby and soon!
'Hmmm I don't even wear those at home though? Won't I be naked most of the time?..'
Altair frowned at him as she pouted at his thoughts and submitted her loss to the old woman. She enjoyed this back and forth with the woman and gave a bright smile. In the end, she saved 3 bronze coins.
"It's not like we're short on money..." Lucian said. Both women turned to him in unison with stern faces.
"A man wouldn't understand! To save money for my use! That's wife's reason to live!"
He stepped back, a little intimidated by the two women turning feral. However, the women returned to their normal selves as Altair greeted the woman and turned to leave.
"Next time I won't lose, Mildred!"
"Hahaha Little girl, you're 100 years too early! Bring me some more coins again!"
Alice felt confused after sleeping on Lucian's back. "I don't understand... Am I a man?"
(Lucian POV)
We spent most of the day buying minor items like spices and spare clothes. However, Altair forced me to buy cheap stuff. Alas, a fat merchant named Jeff deprived my beloved orc wine! The greedy bastard! (His name was Elric)
Alice was sleeping on my back still as we had returned to the suite, leaving with some trinkets she bought. She was going to brighten up her room or something.
So I was sitting on a chair using the soft silky fur on her body as a cushion as she snored like a lazy cat.
Today was Thursday, which meant the tournament would start the day after tomorrow. I wasn't sure how ready my body was to fight that charming orc A'dalia and my future mount Elda.
'Should I spend tomorrow training in the nearby forest? Maybe take the lazy pig Alice and help her grow stronger. How did she avoid being scanned by Esther?
Alice, the master of stealth!
My mind then remembered halfway through there was one absence called and during the random classmates being inspected, I saw a white ball of fluff moving around the ceiling.
"Why didn't Esther punish her? Hmmm... There must be a reason. If I find out, I can skip her class!"
"Tsk! Let's check her status while I'm here. Stupid, lazy pig."
----
[STATUS]
Name: Alice El Gränna
Grade: D
Age: 22
Level: 5
Race: Arachne
Height: 5ft 5 inches
Talent: Mobile body, Silken thread, Wall walking, Lightning specialisation, Transform
[Strength: 11 / Agility: 34 / Stamina: 12 / Wisdom: 8/ Intellect: 8 / Charisma: 26]
[Abilities: Dash (Uncommon—Rank:4), Lightning bolt (Uncommon—Rank: 3)]
----
Her attributes caused my reality to crumble. If she was strong, how did this white pig get beaten? Was it her wisdom and intellect?
'I'm weaker than this idiot spider... I feel pain in the depths of my soul...'
[Lucian, you forgot to consider she is an Arachne with eight legs. Of course, her speed would inflate her grade and status. She is closer to an F rank in actual combat. Fight on!]
"Oh?"
I pumped my fists in joy as my vitality and will to live restored.
'Hope in humanity regained!'
[Neither of you are human!]
'You know, I can still make you into a toaster?'
[…]
[Shall I bind a 1000Kg woman as your fated wife?]
'…'
クリエイターの想い 
Duke_Asmodeus
Duke_Asmodeus Less eventful chapter today! Let's get ready for the coming tournament arc :3
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