Chapter 35: Finally, Some Equipment!

After the party in Noroi Town, the girls and I headed home. As we walked, we discussed how we were going to spend the reward money.

"Like I said before, we should save our money for food, water, and shelter as we'll be traveling a lot," Touwa said, pushing up her glasses.

"How much is the reward again?" I asked, hoping to convince her to let me buy some equipment.

"It's about one million dollars of this world's currency. Why do you ask, Hana?"

"One million dollars?! With that amount of money, I'm sure we could afford some equipment for me to use as we travel. After all, I was the one that saved you from Hebi's spell. I'm sure that if I had equipment, I could have defeated her myself."

"Hana makes a good point, Touwa. Without her, we'd all still be rabbits," Yuri agreed.

Everyone else nodded in agreement. Things were looking good for me.

"T-that may be true, but do you even know how to use a weapon, Hana?" Touwa asked, afraid she was losing support.

"It can't be too hard, right? I'm sure there's a weapon that I could use."

"A-alright. I'll just have to adjust my calculations…" she replied as she pulled out her clipboard.

Where does she even keep that thing? It's like it comes from nowhere.

"How about setting aside five hundred dollars for a weapon and another five hundred for a shield and armor? I assume you want some protection?"

"Yes. Will you guys need any armor?"

"No. You see, Hana, our dresses also serve as a means of protection. They're not just for show."

"Oh. I never realized. That does make a lot of sense."

Finally, we reached Kaishi Town. When we opened the doors to the guild, everyone came rushing towards us.

"They're back!"

"They managed to get away from Hebi!"

"It's a miracle!"

All at once, adventurers started shouting and cheering. A couple even hugged us. What was their problem anyway?

The girls and I walked up to the quest counter to collect our reward.

"Can I help you?" the worker asked sweetly.

"Yeah. We'd like to collect our reward for defeating General Hebi," I said nonchalantly.

"WHAT?! YOU MEAN YOU ALL ACTUALLY DEFEATED HER?!" everyone shouted at once.

"Of course we did! Did you think we couldn't handle it?!" Mari exclaimed, ready to take out anyone who doubted us.

"I must call Noroi Town and check. It's policy," the worker added after Mari turned toward her threateningly.

After talking on the phone for a minute, the worker turned back to us.

"It seems these new adventurers are telling the truth. The chief of Noroi Town said that they did indeed defeat Hebi," she told the crowd. "As a reward for your efforts, you and your party will receive one million Gins. Please wait as I get your reward ready."

As the worker gathered our reward, the other adventurers bombarded us with questions.

"How did you beat Hebi?!"

"Can I have your autograph?"

"Were the people in Noroi Town really as scary as people say?"

"If anyone asks any more questions, I'll personally show them how we beat Hebi!" Mari shouted, tired of their questions.

Her threat seemed to work as nobody asked any more questions.

"Here you go. One million Gins," the worker said as she set a large bag on the counter.

"Thanks," I said as I took the bag. "Do you know of any good equipment shops? We're going to get me some equipment for our upcoming battle with the Evil King."

"O-oh. If you go down the street for a couple blocks, you'll find an equipment shop on the left. Good luck!"

After getting all the girls together, we headed to the equipment shop. When we walked in the cottage-like building, I saw a muscular man sitting behind a counter.

"Hello there! How can I help you?" he asked kindly.

"I'm looking to get some equipment. My party and I have some intense battles ahead of us so I want to be prepared," I replied, looking him square in the eye.

"I see. What kind of equipment are you thinking?"

"I don't really know that much about this kind of equipment."

"You wouldn't have enough arm strength for heavy weapons like a club or a broadsword. Metal armor would be too heavy for you to wear too… Based on your size and strength, you would do best in leather armor. Your weapon would have to be on the lighter side like a knife or shortsword. Do you want to test them out to see which works best for you?"

"Sure. Like I said, I don't know too much about this kind of stuff."

The man handed me a shortsword first. I swung it a couple times, testing its weight. It was a little heavy, but I could handle it pretty easily. Then, he handed me a knife. I swung it, but soon realized that I wouldn't have much reach with a short weapon like that.

"So, what do you think, young lady?" the man asked after I handed him the knife.

"Well, the knife was lighter, but I would have to get close to an enemy to use it. I think the shortsword would work the best for me. How much will one be?"

"You have fine taste! Indeed, I think the shortsword would suit you best. The price depends on what kind of short sword you want. What's your budget?"

"Five hundred Gins for a weapon and five hundred for armor."

"I have just the sword for you then!" the man exclaimed, pulling a sword out from behind his counter. "This beauty's name is Kojomaru. Legend says that this sword once belonged to a woman of great power. Only descendants of that woman can bring out the true power of this blade."

"Are you sure you want to sell this sword to me? I'm just a newbie. Sure, I've been in my share of battles, but still!" I exclaimed, surprised.

"Something about you reminds me of the legendary heroine. I'm sure you and your party will be the ones to defeat the Evil King."

"It's interesting that you say that. For one, my party and I came here to defeat the King. Also, my last name is Kojo, just like the legendary sword."

"REALLY?! YOUR LAST NAME IS KOJO?!" the man exclaimed, almost falling over.

"Yeah. What about it? Is there something wrong with that?"

"One of the only things we know about the heroine is that her last name was Kojo! This must be fate! I can't believe I actually met the descendant of such a hero! There's no need to pay me for the sword or your armor! It's a privilege to help the new legendary heroine!" the man gushed, acting like my biggest fan.

"Ok… Can I have your best leather armor then? I'll need all the protection that I can get," I asked, feeling extremely awkward.

"Yes! Of course, my lady!"

"Uh… you don't have to call me 'my lady'. Hana is fine," I said to the man as he scrambled to find his best set of leather armor. "If I'm not asking too much, I would like to know your name."

"I'm Kajiya, Hana-sama! I am at your service!" he exclaimed, bowing deeply.

"You don't have to call me Hana-sama!" I sighed, extremely embarrassed.

"I understand, Hana-sama! Here is your armor! Be sure to try it on before you leave!"

Kajiya handed me the armor with a big grin on his face. I sighed and took the armor.

"Where's the changing room?"

"Go down the hall and turn right, Hana-sama! I hope it fits you well!"

Sighing, I walked down the hall and turned right into the room Kajiya mentioned. After I closed the door, I put the armor on over my clothes. Looking in the mirror, I saw that the armor fit almost perfectly. It was strange seeing myself in armor though. I guess I still wasn't used to traveling between worlds and solving problems.

I left the room, keeping the armor on. When I walked into the front room with my armor on, Kajiya gasped.

"You look splendid in that armor, Hana-sama! I hope it serves you well! Don't forget Kojomaru too!"

"Thank you for everything," I said to him. "Hey, Touwa! Can we pay him for everything?"

"You don't have to do that! As long as you get rid of the Evil King, I am happy to give you that equipment!" Kajiya protested.

Touwa paid him no heed and put two thousand Gins on the counter.

"Is that enough for everything? I'm not sure how to appraise a legendary weapon," she asked politely.

"Yes! You do not need to pay me any more!"

"Let me think, Touwa. I am sure Father has some legendary weapons around the castle. How much did he say they cost?" Kiku said, ignoring Kajiya. "I think he said a legendary sword costs about five thousand pieces of silver so that would be five thousand Gins too, correct?"

Touwa nodded and put three thousand more Gins on the counter.

"I cannot accept this money! Hana-sama is the legendary hero! That sword rightfully belongs to her!" Kajiya protested.

"It's ok. We have already earned one million Gins after defeating General Hebi. We have enough money. Don't worry about us," I said, trying to convince him.

"I'd expect nothing less from Hana-sama! Both kind and strong enough to defeat a general of the Evil King!"

"I didn't beat her alone. Honestly, all I did was break a spell."

"So modest too! I wish you all the best of luck, Hana-sama and friends!"

"Thanks!" I said as I walked out of the door.

Together, the girls and I walked back to the guild, hoping to learn more of the Evil King's whereabouts.