Rain, a Cave, and the Truth 2
Just the fact that I can go on field research has me
restless with excitement. To think something I couldn't do no matter how much I
wished for it in the Jilgista Kingdom would be permitted so easily.
Moreover, even though there is a high possibility it will end in a wasted trip.
When I told Flora that I was so excited I had started
packing my bags more than a week before departure, she was surprised with an
"Eh?", and then, furrowing her brows and crossing her arms, she told
me she would check my luggage.
On her day off, Flora went out of her way to come to
the separate estate of the Naturi Marquis Family. When she spread out
all the luggage I had packed into my backpack on the floor, she let out a huge
sigh. Then, rummaging through the large bag she had brought, she took something
out from inside.
「Layla, take this and this as well. And, you don't need this.」
A raincoat and a hat were added, and my umbrella was tossed
aside into the corner. Then, she picked up a casually spread out one-piece
dress with an exasperated look.
「You can't climb a mountain in
clothes like this. If we are going through mountain passes where bandits might
appear, it's safer to make your appearance more masculine.」
「I see. I hadn't even thought of
that. But, what should I do? I don't own any clothes I can use to cross-dress.」
「There's a shop in the Royal
Capital that handles women's trousers. They also handle female knight
uniforms and women's work clothes, so you'll find some if you go there.」
Since some time ago, Flora and I had started speaking
in a familiar tone. This reliable older sister always looks out for me.
When I asked for the location, it was a little ways into an
alley from a main street I had been to before. To think there was a place like
that.
Going to buy maps or going to the library. My range of
action is certainly expanding. By now, I am even more familiar with the Kanista
Kingdom than the royal capital of the Jilgista Kingdom, where I only
commuted back and forth between my workplace and home.
「Hmm, but since you've never been on
field research before, you probably don't know what is necessary, Layla.
Oh right, if you'd like, why don't we go buy them together right now?」
「Is that okay? Am I not being a
bother?」
「I wanted a new bag anyway, so the
timing is perfect.」
It is reassuring to have Flora with me. Well then,
with that decided, we set out into the town.
The Kanista Royal Capital is a small town. We could
go by carriage, but the weather was nice so we decided to walk.
Leaving the Naturi Marquis Estate and walking down
the main street, after turning down narrow roads a few times, we found our
target shop. It had an astringent brown roof and walls painted blue. Cuteness,
there was none. I somehow liked that.
When the door chime rang with a slightly muffled cling-clang,
a stout woman in her forties came out from the back. She seemed to be the owner
of this shop.
「Welcome, Flora. What are you
looking for today?」
「It's been a while, Seri. This
is Layla, who recently joined the laboratory. She's going on field
research for the first time, so I want you to pick out a complete set of
necessary items for her.」
「Then, is she the rumored...? I've
heard stories from my husband.」
Rumored, she says. As I made a suspicious face, Flora
told me that Seri's husband is enlisted in the knight order. Looking at Seri,
who was looking at me and chuckling fufu with a knowing smile, I could
easily imagine what kind of rumors they were.
「I'll take your measurements for now,
so step over here. Oh my, you are a petite young lady. It seems you won't be
able to carry a lot of luggage, so shall we keep it to the minimum?」
「No, please prepare everything she
needs. Ashren-sama should probably carry the heavy things for her.」
「Right, then I'll put together a
complete set.」
I had no choice but to smile wryly as she patted my shoulder
pon. I could deny it, but I did promise to be a bug repellent while freeloading.
Seri
took out several pieces of clothing from the wall shelves and lined them up on
the desk one after another.
「I've picked out clothes in your
size, so could you choose from these? I'll go get the other necessary items.」
Saying that, she briskly disappeared into the back of the
shop.
「Flora, about how many outfits do you think I need?」
「Let's see. It's summer, so maybe one
to wear and two for a change of clothes? If you stay at an inn you can do
laundry, and things dry quickly in this season. Also, short-sleeved shirts are
fine, but you'll need a long-sleeved jacket to serve as both sunburn protection
and bug repellent.」
Saying "yes, yes," the clothes she handed me were
khaki and beige colors I don't usually wear. Since they also serve as male
disguise, pinks and oranges are rejected. For the trousers, considering we'd be
walking through grass, we chose ones with a length that completely covered the
ankles.
「The colors lack charm, but please
bear with it. But you know, the clothes here have a little embroidery on the
sleeves and collars.」
「Ah, you're right. Vines and flowers,
and is this one a bird?」
Embroidery drawn in red, yellow, and vivid green seems to be
a feature of this shop. That little one-point detail is apparently popular with
young ladies. Also, she told me that they are all made of materials that are
hard to wrinkle and dry easily.
「Flora, I brought a whole set.」
Seri
plopped a handful of this and that onto the desk opposite us.
「Raincoat and hat, rope and matches.
Then if you have a pot you can cook, and here are plates, spoons, and forks. A
dagger just in case. Will you be camping out?」
「The raincoat and hat are fine. Also,
I don't think Ashren-sama will let her camp out.」
「Is that so. But you should take at
least one blanket. It gets cold at night, you see. This one is thin but warm.」
I was watching absentmindedly from a little ways away as Flora
and Seri selected this and that. Can I really carry a backpack filled
with that much stuff? I instinctively touched my own arm.
「I suppose this is about it for now. Seri,
please get us a backpack that can fit all this.」
「In that case, how about this? It
might be a little small, but this is probably the limit for the young lady, and
Ashren-sama will carry whatever doesn't fit anyway, right?」
I nodded kokuri with awkward movements. I haven't
gotten Ashren-sama's permission, but there's no way I can carry all of
it.
「I need to train.」
It might be too late to start now, but it's better than not doing it. Flora narrowed her eyes gently as she looked at me, who was firmly solidifying my resolve.
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