Chapter 58
“This way for the robes.”
Following Ruby Franc, the shop Master, they arrived at a section displaying robes of various colors, from red robes with black embroidery to gold robes with red embroidery, and so on. The embroidered patterns were all different, making it quite a dilemma for Franz, who suffered from decision paralysis.
“All materials used are of the highest quality. We guarantee it on our family name.”
Franz hadn't doubted it, but with her staking her family name on it, he had no choice but to believe. Well, Arian must have recommended it because it was a trustworthy shop to begin with.
“I hope you have a pleasant time. Please call me anytime if you need assistance.”
Ruby Franc finished her words and turned to leave.
Franz was impressed by her perfectly appropriate level of kindness. He wondered if this was the kind of shop even a 21st-century black-haired Korean would find decent enough to visit. He should make a note of it for his list of recommended shops, just in case someone else transmigrates here.
“Magic Tower Master, which one do you prefer?”
“Well, honestly, I don’t really know.”
It was rude to say to Arian, who had taken time out of her day to help him, but he truly couldn't help it. He didn't have a strong preference, nor was he interested in fashion. What suited him well was beyond his concern. He just thought it was fine as long as it wasn't too flashy and people wouldn't criticize it.
And most importantly.
There was no one he particularly needed to impress anyway.
He wasn't dating anyone, nor was there anyone he wanted to look good for. He simply hadn't felt the need from the start.
Even the robe he was wearing was like that. His old one had worn out, so he'd just bought a random one from a shop he passed on the street.
“Hmm, then how about this one? It looks similar to the one you wore before.”
Arian pointed to a dark blue robe and said.
She was right. It had no patterns, similar in appearance to his previous one. The only difference was that the fabric quality was like heaven and earth.
“Alright, let’s go with this one then.”
Franz chose without hesitation. It was similar and familiar, and most importantly, if Arian had picked it out, it meant there wouldn't be any issues.
However, her thoughts seemed to be a little different.
“W-wait! Think about it a little! I only asked what you thought of it, not to choose it right away!”
“I think this one is fine.”
“I knew this would happen…”
*Sigh*.
Arian let out a sigh. It seemed something wasn't to her liking.
But Franz’s reaction was perfectly normal. After all, men typically go shopping, buy only what they need via the most efficient route, and leave. They might compare prices, but if the appearance is similar, they wouldn't fuss over it.
“Magic Tower Master.”
“Hm?”
“Please try this one on first.”
Arian handed Franz a red robe.
*Isn’t it too flashy…?*
A red color would certainly stand out anywhere, which was far from Franz's preference for plainness. But since Arian recommended it, he decided to try it on. Perhaps he was someone who actually suited red.
“Hmph, hmph-.”
As Franz put on the robe, Arian cleared her throat. It seemed a little different from what she expected.
“Then, would you like to try this one next?”
Arian then recommended a dark blue robe.
Franz put it on as she instructed again.
“Heh, heh-.”
Her reaction seemed subtly different, but it wasn't a particularly good feeling.
“Then, this one is next.”
“Next…”
“Next…”
Arian handed him robes continuously.
Franz felt puzzled but tried them on as instructed. She was carefully choosing his clothes, so he couldn't really complain.
“Last one. This is really the last one this time.”
Arian handed Franz a robe.
Was she in a good mood? Franz thought Arian's expression was strangely pleasant as he took the robe.
But then
*…?*
The robe was military green. It was eerily similar to a color he knew, to the point of causing a subtle sense of discomfort. Who on earth created such a dull and ominous color?
*This is inside a game, isn't it?*
Considering that, he could fully understand if it wasn't just military green, but if even frog and digital camouflage patterns appeared. Of course, understanding and accepting were two different matters. If that actually appeared before his eyes, he'd be extremely displeased.
*Sigh*.
Franz sighed at the unpleasant memory and put on the robe. Arian’s eyes widened.
“Wow, this really suits you perfectly.”
*Is she messing with me…?*
Her words somehow made him feel subtly annoyed, as if she was saying, *you’re cut out to be a soldier*. But he quickly dismissed it, knowing it was probably just his imagination.
Franz immediately took off the robe, folded it neatly, and handed it back to Arian. She had said it was the last one, so now it was time to choose one.
Just as Franz was waiting for Arian’s choice, she said,
“Hmm, then this one, and this one, and this one were good too…”
Arian reached out and grabbed a whole bunch of robes.
Franz felt puzzled by her actions. Why was she buying so many robes? The quality was good enough that one would last at least ten years, so this many would be enough to pass down to her children.
Perhaps such a thought showed on his face.
Arian suddenly spoke.
“Surely you weren’t planning to buy just one robe, were you?”
“I was…?”
“You should at least have a spare, shouldn’t you? But you don’t have a single one.”
Is that so?
Now that he thought about it, her words seemed to make sense. He would likely be fighting continuously for a while. If a robe was torn, it meant he was injured, and he hoped that wouldn't happen, but he never knew what might happen in life.
Just as Franz was about to accept this and move on, a strange question suddenly popped into his mind.
“Arian.”
“Yes? Oh, this one was good too.”
“How do you know I don’t have any spare robes?”
The only way to know if he had no spare robes was to rummage through his wardrobe. But she knew it.
That meant Arian had rummaged through his wardrobe.
“Yesterday, I opened your wardrobe after I showered in the Magic Tower Master’s Room.”
“…I see.”
He recalled that Arian had managed to get dressed yesterday even though he hadn't given her any clothes or towels. Well, he had let Arian sleep in his room before, and the wardrobe wasn't hidden, so that much was…
*…Right.*
Franz decided not to think about it anymore. No particular problem had arisen, and if anything, she was taking even better care of him.
“Magic Tower Master, shall we go then? I’ve picked everything.”
“…Are all of those for spares?”
Arian was truly carrying an armful of robes, enough to pass down to children, even grandchildren.
“It’s good to have many, isn’t it?”
“Alright, I understand.”
It felt a bit awkward to say he didn't need them after she had gone to the trouble of picking them out. So, he just had to accept it.
Arian then showed the robes to the shop Master.
“How much is it?”
“86 gold coins… but are you really buying this many…?”
86 gold coins—that was enough money for a Commoner to live comfortably for a lifetime without working. As expected, good quality meant a high price.
“Yes, just a moment. Where did I put my money…”
“Then, I’ll have someone deliver all but one robe to the Magic Tower. You can wear one now.”
“Ah, yes. That sounds good.”
Arian handed the shop Master a pouch of gold coins and carefully chose one robe. It was a dark blue robe with blue snowflake embroidery.
Was it because she was the Grand Duke of the North’s daughter? Perhaps she chose the snowflake pattern because she had seen a lot of snow.
After completing the payment, Franz and Arian left the shop and began walking towards the Magic Tower.
“Hmm, that one really suits you best.”
Arian said suddenly.
“Hmm, I think this one is the best too.”
The dark blue wasn't too flashy, and the blue snowflake embroidery was pretty. The overall color scheme matched well.
“I-is that so…”
Arian drew out her words, smiling.
Soon, they arrived in front of the Magic Tower.
Franz slowly reduced his walking pace and said to Arian,
“Arian, I have an errand to run.”
“An errand?”
Arian tilted her head diagonally. At the same time, her eyes narrowed, sending him a suspicious look. He didn't know why she was acting that way, but it was probably different from what she was thinking.
“Uh, I think I need to go see Your Majesty.”
He needed to ask for the Duke Ishtar’s Title. He had promised Yuna he’d arrange a place for her to stay, after all.
“Ah, if that’s the case, please go quickly.”
Fortunately, Arian’s expression brightened again, as if her misunderstanding had been cleared. She then bowed her head in greeting.
“Have a good trip.”
“Alright, if I’m late, you can leave early.”
Franz said that and snapped his fingers. Light flashed, and the Magic Tower Master’s figure vanished from in front of the Magic Tower.
He reappeared in front of the Imperial Palace.
*Now, is it time to negotiate?*
Well, there wasn't really much to negotiate, he thought.