Chapter 212 (1/2)
Chapter 212
Chapter 212: A Pro Tess one more tiuards let her through the gate to the upper levels, and she walked out of sight
‘Don’t think about other things and try to have some fun while you’re with her, Arthur,’ Sylvie sent
“It’s surprisingly easy to get used to Sylvie in that for to e horns on the sides of her head, she’d just look like an unassuirl”
“Those horns are pretty adorable though But anyway”—Tess pointed in the direction of the ave me a warm smile—“shall we head off as well?”
I s as alked through the crowds of people My legs that had ached and felt so heavy without the aid of side Tess I watched as her head turned left and right and her expression changed froht of the various booths and stands thatthe street
It was a rare feeling where, next to this girl that I had spent so hts of eneral in times of eren’t priorities
That hen it struck me
This role that I had accepted for the sake of Dicathen had been slowly turning me back into the man I was back in my old world There were some differences, of course I had people I truly cared for, but in a sense, that made it worse I felt like I had to be better—to make no mistakes—if I wanted to keep the apart fro finally made you realize how pretty your childhood friend actually is?” Tess teased, snapping hts
“Actually, yes,” I replied earnestly
Not expecting that sort of reply, Tess blushed all the way to the tips of her ears
“I-I see Well, it’s good that you kno,” she said with a cough, her gaze avoidingarbed in chainmail or hard leather ar the insignia of their rightful division “Is it always this busy here?”
“Mh jobs and ht about an influx of oods and services to thee in topic
“This place really does have its own separate econo activities around us
“Speaking of goods and services, there’s a place that I alanted to try!” Tess pulled h the tide of pedestrians until we arrived near the end of a line that wrapped around a single isolated cart
Before I could even ask what could possibly warrant waiting in such a long line, a smoky scent crept up my nostrils My sto side the savory arorilled meat continued to bombard my senses
“Doesn’t it smell fantastic?” Tess asked excitedly as she craned her neck to try and get a better view of the cart
I nodded “If it tastes as good as it srandfather hire hi, but I’d feel bad for all the people here that look forward to eating here,” she replied
That’s when I noticed the gazes of all the people around us So in line hile others saluted or bowed
Thankfully a disturbance ahead in the line caught the attention of the people around us It see to make their way to the back of the line
“Out of the way! Move it!” a gruff voice boomed
Finally, a h the sea of people ahead of us He was carrying a setables in each of his hands
Locking gazes with Tess and then me, the stout man held up the bowls toward us “It’s not ht on an empty stomach”
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“Thank you,” I said, reaching down for the piping hot stehile Tess did the same “But how did you knoere even back here?”
The stand owner jerked his thu for news to travel all the way up to the front of the line”
I let out a chuckle “Regardless, thank you for the treat”
The portly old ht up his shi+rt to reveal a bulging stomach “No Thank you”
His actions had a chain effect, causing all the people in the line to salute Tess stifled a giggle and joined the as well
After returningin line, Tess and I went on our way to our next undecided destination
“Looks like co with you does have its perks,” Tess said as she used a wooden pick to skewer one of the charredwith sauce “That place is always so busy, even the captains here don’t get that kind of treat a bite, her eyes closed and a sood!”
“You’re probably the only person who’d regard a lance as a ‘perk,’ Tess,” I said, taking a bite as well Needless to say, the steas delicious enough to ant dishes served in the Castle pale in comparison Despiteenough that even Sylvie felt h for le of curiosity laced in her voice
Sorry, I don’t think I can pro another bite
Despite the constant din of people around us, I felt more at peace now than I ever had these past few rossed in the present She pulled me aside toward every stall that interested her without a second thought She laughed and ss, but I foundforward to her reactions
In a way, her bright and sometimes childish personality seemed so admirable She had the responsibility to look after an entire unit She spent days, sometimes weeks, out in the Beast Glades in conditions far from desirable Yet, she was able to produce such a radiant smile that it infected those around her
Tess’ hand slowly approaching the stew that I was holding broughtto eat that…”
I snapped the dish out of her reach just as the skewer in her hand atte“You wish”
Tess let out a frown “As expected of a lance”
I rolled my eyes “Yes, because it’s imperative for a lance to learn how to defend his or her own food fro a meat cube with the pick in my hand, I held it out for Tess “Here”
My childhood friend’s eyes visibly brightened as she got on her tippy toes to snatch the ood!”
I blinked as I stared at the e?” she said “You’re kind of red Do you have a fever?”
“It’s nothing!” I said, quickly turning around “My body hasn’t been in the best condition these days”
We walked in silence for a while Tess looked a bit guilty because of what I said, even though I just said it to cover up a lie Hoping to lift her h-like desserts were displayed While the line wasn’t long, there were quite a few people holding or eating the dough nearby “That see from there?”
“Oh! That’s a pretty popular dessert stand,” she said “I’o by myself; just wait here, okay?”
“Okay”
I set while the old lady waited patiently on the other side of the stand
Suspecting it would take a bit longer, I walked over to a smaller booth a few yards away
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“Interested, I see You have a good eye, Sir,” the little boy attending the stand exclai around,” I answered, not taking my eyes off the display of trinkets and accessories laid out on top of the white cloth “Actually, can I purchase this?”
“Of course! It’ll co back “What gives, Mo?” an older woetically “I’norant of the world”
“General? You?” the boy said, due as my brother!”
That earned him another smack from his mother before she handed me the itey for ain, I’h “No problem at all, and please let me pay”
She waved her hand in dismissal “Oh no! Please, how can I possibly take money from a lance!”
“Since it’s a present, I’d feelit to the person if I actually earned it,” I admitted
“Is it that pretty lady over there with the silver—ouch! Mootten hit
Chuckling, I tossed the kid a coin and thanked the two of the back toward Tess
“Wait! This is a gold coin!” theback over ht “I just paid what I thought this orth It’s very well-made, ma’am”