The All-Purpose Zoldat

"D-don't worry, we'll pay for the damage to the shop!" Roxy said to Leola with a strained smile as she pushed Cain along. He pursed his lips.

"You foolish apprentice, don't do things that cause people trouble! Honestly!"

Roxy planted her hands on her hips and puffed out her cheeks. Cain slowly exhaled, took his hand off his sword hilt, and looked at her with his lips pressed together.

"Sorry."

"No need to apologize."

Roxy shook her head and smiled at Cain, blinking.

"Any experienced adventurer would get angry hearing something like that. It's only natural."

"After all, sealing away magic items that could save lives in a labyrinth, or inflating their prices for obscene profits—those are exactly the sorts of rotten things merchants do."

"Though I got a little angry when I heard she planned to keep it in her collection forever, too."

Roxy pressed her lips together and looked at Cain.

"But, foolish apprentice, killing someone isn't as simple as you think. I don't want you to end up wanted and leave me so soon..."

Roxy was afraid that if Cain killed someone, he would be wanted and eventually driven out of the Ranoa Kingdom.

Cain saw the reluctance in Roxy's expression and the deep worry in her blue eyes. He paused, then nodded with a gentler look.

"I promise, teacher."

Cain looked at Roxy earnestly, though he found it a little funny. Silly teacher. I don't want to kill anyone in the first place, and why would I do it right in front of you? Have a little faith in me. Besides, I'm a Sword God, even if I'm not at my best. Killing a few people who can't fight back would only disgrace that title.

Ten minutes later.

"Hey, you two. Could you stop making more work for me? Seriously..."

Zoldat looked helplessly at Cain and Roxy. Behind him, a crew of workers was repairing the shop.

"It's not like we're shorting you on payment." Cain folded his arms and pursed his lips.

"I heard that... Honestly, Cain, do you really think I can do anything?"

Cain glanced at the disgruntled Zoldat, took five Asura Gold Coins from the pouch inside his clothes, and placed them in his hand.

"I think you can."

Zoldat looked at the five Asura Gold Coins in his palm, quickly tucked them into his pocket, and pursed his lips.

"If you say so."

Even after paying for the repairs, he would still make an Aras Gold Coin. Zoldat had to admit Cain was a good judge of people.

"Fool. Don't waste money." Roxy gave Cain a displeased tap on the head with her staff.

"Well, do come again! And remember to collect your armor in three months," Leola called, waving a handkerchief as her rabbit ears bobbed.

With the matter of the Magic Armor more or less settled, Cain and Roxy wandered around and somehow ended up back at the Dessert Shop they had visited last time.

All right, the truth was that Roxy was craving sweets.

Cain watched Roxy stare at the little cream cakes on display, practically drooling. Amused and a little exasperated, he took out a handkerchief and wiped the corner of her mouth.

"Are you hungry, Roxy?"

Roxy pressed her lips together and nodded faintly, her face red. What was that foolish apprentice doing just now? How embarrassing!

Cain smiled and took the blushing Roxy by the hand. Together, they went into the Dessert Shop again.

"Hey, kid, why were you in such a hurry last time? Your bill came to one Aras Gold Coin and two silver coins, so you still owe me two silver coins."

Cain shrugged, took out five Aras Gold Coins, and slapped them onto the counter.

"I'll take every cream cake you have."

"Mmm~ Stupid Cain, wasting money again. Mmm~"

You're eating the cream cake I bought while criticizing me? Isn't that a bit much, Roxy?

Cain watched Roxy eat her cake with a blissful smile, amused.

He twirled a pen as he propped his chin on one hand and flipped through a magic book, glancing now and then at its spells and at Roxy enjoying her dessert beside him.

If I tell Roxy I've learned Advanced Healing Magic, will she be happy or upset?

Cain smiled faintly, closed the book on the page about Advanced Healing Magic, and took out his account book to do some calculations.

They really had spent extravagantly this time. All the money they had just earned had gone toward making the Magic Armor.

Aside from the hundred Asura Gold Coins he and Roxy owned together, he had a little over thirty left, while Roxy had only a little over eighty.

Still, when Cain remembered that he had owned just one Asura Gold Coin a little over two weeks ago, he felt a surge of accomplishment.

If the Magic Armor ends up costing more, I might not have enough. I don't want Roxy to cover my expenses again. I'd be too ashamed to face her.

Looks like I need to take on more commissions and earn some money. We'll need funds when we set out later, too. Cain glanced at Roxy savoring her cream cake in tiny bites, and a smile crept onto his face.

Roxy looks so cute eating dessert.

With that thought, Cain looked at her, cleared his throat twice, and put on a somewhat stern expression.

Too many sweets weren't good for her, after all. She had only just recovered from her cold and needed to take care of herself.

"No more after this one, Roxy. You've already had three cakes."

Cain twirled the pen in his hand and looked at Roxy sternly with his one open eye.

"Huh? But..." Roxy looked at the large bag of cream desserts beside Cain. She licked the cream from her lips and pressed them together, her blue cowlick bobbing as she gazed at him longingly.

Cain met her sparkling blue eyes and pleading expression. He pressed his lips together, but in the end, his teacher won. He smiled helplessly and slowly nodded.

Roxy has almost no resistance to sweets...

Didn't we agree on only three a day? Silly teacher, what am I going to do with you...

"A-all right. You can have one more, but that's the limit."

"Thank you."

Roxy beamed at the helpless-looking Cain and accepted the little cake he offered. She licked her lips and ate it with obvious delight, looking utterly blissful with every bite.

Whenever Cain saw that blissful expression, he couldn't help stopping the pen spinning between his fingers to admire how cute she looked.

Soothing. It makes me happy.

"U-um, Cain, why are you looking at me like that? I know—I'll pay for half of these cakes..."

Roxy blinked at Cain's helpless smile and licked the corner of her mouth, feeling a little guilty.

"F-fine, I'll pay seventy percent..."

Roxy took four Asura Gold Coins from inside her clothes, but Cain smiled and put them back in her palm.

"No need. I'm already full. The cakes are my treat this time, Roxy."

In a way, I am full.

"Huh? B-but Cain, you haven't eaten a single cream cake, have you? And..."

Roxy pressed her lips together. She and Cain really had been spending rather freely these past few days.

"Then you can treat me next time. This one's on me."

"A-all right." Roxy blinked at Cain's firm smile, then sighed helplessly and nodded.