Chapter 24 : Going With Aizen, And His Identity

Aizen and I walked from stores to stores because of him saying he needs something. I fugred it might be found within the stores here, but he never said anything about it. Because of that, we're now going to the blacksmith part of the market, because there I would get my Lesser Wyvern armor.

Hopefully, some stores have the Lesser Wyvern armors, but Aizen didn't let me buy those.

"See, this armor was faulty. Their sides aren't even equal. one was quite high right shoulder, and this one was too short to you," he said as he continuously pointed out the faults of the armors.

"B-but..."

"No worries, I'll find you a better armor than this. You can consider it my payback."

"I think I didn't even helped you earlier..."

"You might think so, but you have already helped me in various meanings. I truly thank you."

I couldn't utter a single word at his words. W-well, if he really insists, then I'll accept his thanks then. Proceeding to check the armors of the shops, we continued until we got into a specific blacksmith shop.

It was a bulding with 3 floors, and continuous sounds of steel being hammered could be heard. It wasn't just one, but many hammers. The name of this shop was "Kier's Shop". Actually, I planned to go here only if I didn't find any wyvern armors, but because of Aizen I need to go here.

It's not that I hate this shop. In fact, this shop... was the one who forged the revolver Dad gifted to me. There was no way I'll hate it. I also don't hate the owner. But...

"Work your asses or I'll kill you! You there! Both hands, use your both hands to hammer! What are you trying to do using only one hand?!"

*Sigh*

It's the same when Dad and I came here to get my gun... it's still a scene of carnage... Then, as I was thinking that, the brawny man who was full of muscles suddenly looked at us-no me.

Ah... here we go again.... After seeing me, the veins throbbing in his head got more bigger, and he looked at me like he was going to kill me. No, I'm an adventurer, so maybe I can fight him... not.

In addition to being that big thanks to his build, he was also once a warrior...I'm dead.

"Why! Are! You! Here!?" The man-Kier, was now glaring at me so much he'll melt me like a steel in a furnace. He walked with his big steps and stopped right in front of me.

"Calm down, Kier-san... I'm not here today to—"

"You're not here today?! Then what am I seeing, an illusion?!"

"No, that's not-"

"You're gonna deny what I said?!"

AaaAaAAaaa!! That's why I hate going here!

"...It's been a while, hasn't it, Kier-san? I see you're still the same as ever."

And I also totally forgot that I have Aizen-san here! Wait, eh?nHe knows Kier-san?

"AAH? Who're you? I don't even know you and you act buddies to me ah?"

"..."

After their exchange, Kier-san just got more irritated when Aizen-san greeted him. And he says he doesn't even know him... Then, the hooded Aizen-san didn't say anything... and he removed his hood. As the hood fell from his head, so as Kier-san's jaw too.

His face...was just as awesome-no, even more than a superstar back in Earth. And he was also just the same height as me, and he also looks young like me. Even so, he's got really good face. Not to mention those heterochromatic eyes of cyan and orange, with his also orange hair.

I'm sure my jaw also dropped. So cool... are you even really an adventurer? He looks like some nobles out there. But what's more intriguing was Kier-san's reaction.

"Wha-?! Why are you here, Eizenf-"

"Have you already forgotten my name, Kier-san? I'm called Aizen."

Aizen-san directed a strong gaze that I'm sure haave a meaning, a deep one. I could just know what it is by activating 'Intention Seeker', but I know it's for a reason. Aizen-san also doesn't seem tk be a bad guy.

Seeing the gaze directed to his flustered self, Kier-san tried to put on a calm face. But why? It's like all the rage you have on me earlier was just a lie...

"*cough* Why are you here, Aizen-dono?"

...what's with the honorifics when you can't even use it on me..?

Aizen-san then calmly answered, "I was just visiting to find something, but Zen-kun here helped me earlier."

"No no, as I said, I haven't even helped you..."

"And as I said earlier too, you may not know it but you've already helped me enough." Then, turning his head into Kier-san, Aizen-san added, "I'm also here because I am joining him finding his Wyvern armor."

"I see. Then, brat, come here."

After saying that, he turned his back on us and led us inside where so many weapons and types of armor is displayed. Also, compared to the other shops, the items here looks 3 times more good...and maybe also 3 times expensive.

"Oi, brat, are you thinking something rude just now?"

"I-I'm not!"

What's with that?! You can read thoughts?! As I was holding my head inside my thoughts,  Aizen-san asked me.

"Zen-kun, I think you understand that that is his nor al attitude, but just why is he so aggresive into you?"

"Well... it was because of the blueprint of the weapon my Dad asked him to forge... he wants me to give it to him as he always forget how to create it and also asked me so that he could forge and sell them, but I refused. As a result, this."

"...I see. Can I see the weapon you're talking about?"

"Oh, sure."

I held the revolver in my hands and let him hold it. I asked him nir to press anything qs he might get injured if it triggered, worse he might die.

By the way, after I pulled it out, Kier-san started making a fuss again about the gun's blueprint and demanded I guve it to him. Thankfully, Aizen-san saved me. And also thankfully, he had forgotten about the structure of the revolver.

After we entered the room and was asked to wait there, I thought everything about it will be forgotten, but...

"Could I also ask you to give me the blueprintnas well? I will pay you, of course. Name your price," Aizen-san said with a serious face. Honestly, even you? I answered his question, of course.

"I'm sorry, but I can't do that. I think you have seen it, but this gun has a lot of potential. However, I don't want it to fall into the wrong hands, someone who will use this in killing people rather than protecting them."

"I understand. However, I assure you that it won't fall into those people. I could... sell them to the army, or I could maybe give it to Fa-no, ti the king."

"...I see. But I'm sorry, my answer won't change. Even if you said that, it will surely be distributed into the other people plotting something bad. I'm not saying you'll give it to them, but... I think you you also got my point, right? Not to mention, having another weapon in the army might alarm the other kingdoms."

I don't want to use it, but I need to after I heard him selling it to the army. You can't just do a thing without having a position. Nd so, I activated 'Appraisal' secretly. I can now do it without chanting "Manifest", and it helps me greatly. After seeing his identity, I couldn't help but feel shocked. I mean, I thought he only has a position, but to think he was...

Eizenfeld Raius Anecta Citrine.

The 4th prince of Citrine Kingdom. The one who was supposed to arrive 3 days from now. Why is he here?

But I can't show my shock directly. However, J gave him a hint, which was me speaking about the army. And, maybe caughting up that fact, he admits it.

"...It seems you've noticed."

"Not until now, actually."

"I see you are quite brilliant for your age."

"You're one to talk."

"..."

"..."

""..Pft.""

Then, after that exchange, we laughed hard. But thank god he backed off. Though Kier-san doesn't want to. Honestly, it's a pain in the ass.

Then, we were taken to the room, which Kier-san tidied up before letting us in. It seems the wait earlier was for that. I also couldn't believe Kier-san met Aizen-no, Eizenfeld earlier, and he almost got killed by his escort because of his speech habits.

Well, after showing me the Lesser Wyvern armor I need, Kier-san said it costs 76 large silver coins. I have a budget of one gold, so this was enough. Although J said that...

"Kier, get it back and get a Wyvern's Robe."

"H-hey, I can't afford that! That cost too much!"

I shouted, flustered in what he said. That thing costs 5-10 golds! And you want me to buy it?!

Then he told me, "No worries. I will pay it. Consider this as my gift to you. Kier, please."

"Understood. You're one lucky brat, kiddo."

"..."

Eh? Eh? Eh?!

"Are royalties just that rich..? Damn..."

"Haha, was it a compliment?"

"J don't know too. But, well, thanks about this I guess? Prince Eizenfeld."

"No need to be formal. Just call me the same as before. Aizen is enough."

"But why, Prince Eizenfeld? Isn't royalty supposed to be respected, Prince Eizenfeld? Is it okay to do that, Prince Eizenfeld?"

I tried to tease him, but he just smiled. Well, I don't mind calling him that either. After a while, the Wyvern's Robe have been given at me, and Aizen to Kier, "Someone will bring the payment here later," to which Kier nodded.

Then, after going out, we said farewell to each other.

"It seems we'll part here. I turly am glad to have met you, Zen-kun."

"Yeah, so am I. By the way, Aizen, I'll ask just in case... you're not qlone, are you?"

"...You've noticed even that?"

"No, actually, te gact the royalties going alone just seems impossible to happen. Someone must have been guarding you from the beginning, is what I thought."

"I see... you are correct. They were always there."

"I can't sense them, though... oh well. I guess this is our parting ways?"

It was short, but it was kind of fun in it's own way.

"If you would ever go to the capital, come visit me."

"Pft, me, a commoner, dare visit Your Highness? I could never have such audacity!"

After I said that, we both laughed. It was funny how a prince was trying to invite a commoner to their palace. What the hell is this, hahaha...

"Oh, but speaking of going there, I'll go to the capital once I'm 15 to enroll at the Royal Academy," I said to him.

He replied with an astonished face, "Eh? Hmm, it seems like we'll still meet. Then, I will see you there, Zen-kun. Farewell."

"Yeah. Be safe, Aizen."

After turning our backs, we returned home. Thus, the strange meeting and friendship of a commoner and a prince began... maybe. I hope it will.