บท 12: Alferusia Kingdom V

Jack took me for a walk around the bustling market, which had a medieval atmosphere. The market was filled with rows of wooden stalls selling a variety of goods-from fresh vegetables and fruits, to colorful fabrics hanging in front of the stalls. Vendors shouted out their wares, while the smell of spices and baked goods mingled in the air, tickling my nose with their alluring fragrance.

The floor of the market was made of rough stone, littered with small pebbles that crunched under my feet every time I took a step. The sound of clattering horse hooves and rolling cart wheels added to the hustle and bustle of the atmosphere. People of different races and backgrounds mingled, dressed in quaint and unique styles, creating a scene straight out of a history book.

This scene reminded me of my past life, when I could only watch similar scenes behind a screen, imagining what it would be like to be in the middle of a crowded medieval marketplace. Experiencing it for myself, of course, was a completely different experience-more vivid, more real. The joy and excitement of this marketplace made me feel as if I had truly stepped back in time, to an age where life moved at a slower pace, yet was full of enticing colors and sounds.

"Well, Eric, first we have to clean your body and change your shabby clothes," Uncle Jack said with a wide smile that revealed his rows of shiny white teeth. His eyes shone brightly under the wide hat that protected him from the sun.

I nodded slowly, still swept away by the bustling market atmosphere. The roar of the merchants selling their wares, the aroma of spices that filled the air, and the laughter of the children running around made me almost forget myself.

"Hehe... seeing your expression now, reminds me of the first time I came here," Jack continued, chuckling as we made our way through the crowd. He easily pushed aside the few people blocking our way, as if he was already very used to this crowd.

"Is it the same as me?" I asked, my eyes still roaming around the stalls filled with interesting items.

"Um!... Even more excitement!!" he replied excitedly. "Imagine, a young man seeing a market like this for the first time, with all the colors, smells, and sounds that shock the senses. I was mesmerized, just like you are now."

I smiled at his story, trying to imagine a young Uncle Jack who was as confused and mesmerized as I was now. 'Eeh... Are we from the same village that we can both react like this?' I thought.

I looked again and was again swept up in the crowd. People kept moving at a busy pace, some carrying baskets full of merchandise, while others stopped to chat or haggle over prices. There seemed to have been no announcement from the palace to inform the people that they were on war alert. The market atmosphere remained cheerful and full of life, as if no one was worried about the outside world.

"Here," Uncle Jack said as he lightly patted my shoulder, bringing me back to reality. "A good place for you to change," he said, directing our steps towards a colorful and ornate clothing store with intricate wooden decorations.

Uncle Jack seemed to be very happy, there was nothing different from his cheerful aura when he was in front of this shop. What's wrong with him? Could it be something that makes him so excited?

"Hello Yuna!!!" he shouted cheerfully as he entered the shop, his voice creating a cheerful twang in the air.

I followed her from behind, watching curiously as I saw the figure of a beautiful, good-looking elven woman sitting at the cash register. Her soft light green hair flowed behind her, and her eyes, though sleepy-looking, radiated a mesmerizing beauty. Her face was perfectly proportioned, with sharp and graceful features.

She raised her head lazily when Uncle Jack called her name, greeting us with a small smile. "Hello, Jack. Can I help you?" he asked in a soft voice that complemented his charming appearance.

"Yes, we need some new clothes for Eric here," Uncle Jack replied enthusiastically, while I felt mesmerized by her beauty and calmness. "Hehehe~, what do you think, boy? Isn't Yuna very pretty!"

I snapped out of my reverie as I turned my head to look at Jack's face who was grinning in a rather annoying way.

"Geez... Stop that, Jack." Yuna walked towards us with light steps, her face exuding the same cheerfulness as her voice. She was wearing clothes that looked comfortable and simple, in keeping with the hobbit lifestyle. It gave her a unique and alluring look, emphasizing her natural beauty.

"Hello, Eric. I'm Yuna, the owner of this shop. I'm happy to help you get new clothes," Yuna said kindly, her eyes shining as she smiled at me.

"Hello, Yuna. Thank you for your help," I replied, trying not to be too stunned by his charm.

"Kekeke~ this kid is trying to be strong, well, whatever it is," Jack said as he slightly brought his face closer to Yuna's, as if whispering something cute in her ear. A mischievous expression shone from his gleaming eyes, adding to his signature smile-inducing charm.

"I see, I see... I'll make him handsome, trust me!" said Yuna as she gave a thumbs up to Jack who was puffing out his chest proudly, as if he had been given an interesting challenge. Her eyes were full of enthusiasm, and her warm smile made me feel more comfortable between the two.

...

I retracted my words again. "Oy, what the heck is this outfit," I hissed angrily as I came out of the booth and looked at the selection of clothes that Yuna had chosen.

The outfit I got was a suit that was too small, with shorts and a shirt that was too tight, making me feel like I was being squeezed into it. The cute prints and bright colors printed on the fabric made me look like a dwarf in the middle of a bunny party.

"HAHAHAHAHA!!!~... Look at you, boy! What a dwarf outfit you're wearing!" Jack laughed very loudly, unbridled joy filling his face at the sight of me wearing this overly ridiculous costume.

Then, I turned to Yuna who was beside me with a clearly questioning expression on my face.

"Eeh... I think, it's quite funny because some of them are quite popular among kids nowadays," Yuna said with some confusion, her eyes showing doubt over the reaction I had shown to the clothes.

'Huh!? These ridiculous clothes are popular!!? How ruined are their fashion trends?' I thought, while trying to understand a concept that I couldn't imagine before. All these things are enough to make me dizzy. "Anyway, I don't want to go out in this ridiculous outfit," I said in a steady voice, deciding to reject looks that didn't match my taste or identity.

"Hmm... That's quite difficult, but let's try something else. Hey Jack, you can stop laughing now," Yuna pleaded, speaking in a firm yet friendly tone, trying to solve my appearance problem in a better way.

"Oh well..." Jack's reply was instantly obedient to Yuna's words, although it sounded a little shaky from the smile that hadn't completely faded from his face.

...

"HAHAHAHAHA!!!!... First a dwarf, now a Mandrake!!! KAKAKAKAKA!!!" Jack's burst of laughter broke out again, filling the store room with a deafening sound.

'Damn it, is it not Alferussian society's bad fashion but Yuna herself!' I thought in frustration, feeling increasingly confused and frustrated at having to wear such a strange costume again.

These are not clothes, but costumes! Does helloween culture exist in other worlds too!? What nonsense is this!!

"Hmm, strange. I'm sure if this outfit fits," she said with a thinking pose when looking at the results of her hand. "Well, for the last one this will definitely fit" she continued in a convincing manner.

'Oh, come on don't let me down again!' I thought frantically. "I appreciate you, Yuna," I said with sparkling eyes. "Hey can you stop laughing!"

"Huuf huuf..." Jack tried to hold his breath, regulating the breath that was almost out of breath due to excessive laughter. "Yeah, I'm not going to laugh anymore," he said in a voice that was somewhat disjointed due to his attempts to calm the waves of laughter that still lingered in his chest.

...

"#$#@$@#$@#%$@%@#*" Jack's burst of laughter rang out again, this time so loud that he tumbled across the shop floor in his unstoppable delight at seeing me in this strange costume.

First a dwarf, second a Mandrake, last a mole!? What is this clothing fashion!! Oh yeah, there's no way Yuna has this kind of taste in clothes, really someone like her to...

"See!? Aren't my clothes pretty?" Yuna also changed her clothes, and she was wearing some kind of dress made of lotus that was designed into a dress.

'Ugh, I give up...' I thought resignedly, feeling that there was no point in over-expecting anymore.

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Author note:

Character Description

Name: Yuna

Age: Not Mentioned (Looks Young)

Appearance: Yuna is a charming elven woman with a mesmerizing appearance. Her medium height, around 160 cm, gave her a graceful and well-proportioned posture. Her hair was long and soft, light green in color that resembled fresh spring leaves. It was loose and long, flowing gently behind her, creating an aura of dazzling elegance. Her eyes exuded intelligence and gentleness, captivatingly emerald green in color and often flashing a sharp highlight that showed the wisdom hidden behind her beauty. Her ears, as is typical of elves, are pointed and graceful, adding an exotic charm to her appearance. Her skin is smooth and radiant, with a natural rosy hue on her cheeks that adds a warm and welcoming feel. Yuna often wears clothes made from soft and comfortable natural materials, with colors inspired by the surrounding nature. Her dresses are often adorned with floral and leaf motifs, reflecting the closeness of nature and the gentleness of her heart. Her elegant and enchanting looks reflect grace and strength in her, showing that she is a woman who is in control of her life.