Chapter 30 - 29: Equipping Seris and Registration
A bell jingled softly as he pushed open the door.
Inside, the walls were lined with racks and shelves—shields hung above the door, and racks of weapons filled the space. A stout man behind the counter looked up from polishing a short sword.
"Morning," Kael said. "I’m looking to buy some gear."
The man’s eyes flicked briefly to Seris, lingering on the collar, then back to Kael. "For yourself? Or for her?" His tone was neutral, but there was an unspoken question there.
"For her." Kael folded his arms. "Is that a problem?"
The shopkeeper’s mouth twisted, not in a smile but something adjacent to it. "No problem. Just doesn’t happen often. A slave, huh? What’s her class?"
"B-rank," Kael replied.
That got the shopkeeper’s attention. He stepped out from behind the counter, his boots thudding on the wooden floor. "B-rank? You don’t see many of those owned by wandering merchants. Adventurers, maybe. Nobles, definitely. Well, good thing you came here. Let’s find her something sharp."
Kael followed him past rows of weapons and locked glass cases that seemed more like museum pieces than merchandise. Seris walked silently behind him, her eyes scanning everything—but she didn’t reach for anything.
"You’ve got coin?" the shopkeeper asked over his shoulder.
"Enough."