Chapter 155: New Orders
Back on Earth, I’d rarely, if ever been able to afford to eat consistently, much less for pleasure. Here at Western University, I’d been too timid to dare ask for food and relied on the university kitchens, where I received a slave’s portion, consisting of hard bread, thin broth, and occasionally, if the manager generally liked me, a scrawny scrap of jerky. The simple meals I’d shared with the others in my party on the road as we stopped at inns were a luxury, not to mention the food I obtained during feasts.
Soltair and Trithe sat in silence as I explained my circumstances, occasionally glancing at each other to confirm they were both hearing the same thing. Once I finished, Trithe shook her head.
"Unbelievable. I knew you were a tad ignorant, but to think we’re here in a proper city and you haven’t gone out once..." She trailed off, shaking her head in disbelief.
"Trithe," Soltair, giving her a hard look.
She blinked, and her friendly smile returned. "On second thought, it’s not a big deal, really."
Despite her comforting words, I lowered my head.
"E-Elise offered to visit some places like that before, but her student allowance is so small I didn’t want to impose," I stammered, twisting a curl of hair between my fingers.
"No need to get defensive," Soltair chided gently, "Trithe didn’t mean it like that. And just so you know, everything is given to us heroes for free. You can show up to any shop, and they’ll be more than happy to help."
"Even to someone like me?"