**Armoura Village.**

  White houses.

  Brown, golden, and yellow-green rooftops.

  Caravans of merchants.

  Luxury clothing shops.

  Vendors everywhere.

  One of the territories of the Beeatrix Kingdom.

  Famous for its clothing production:

  from nobles to commoners,

  from dresses to combat armor.

  A good place to re-equip before a great journey.

  — *Great journey, my ass…* — grumbled Souta.

  — *And besides… don’t you think this princess is way too clingy?*

  Meliora, holding his arm, glared at Pikonota, who followed behind.

  — *You kidnapped me, now deal with it. Hmph.* — declared Meliora, pouting.

  Souta, relaxed, thought:

  — *The way she switches from affectionate princess to spoiled princess is so cute…*

  Creamy teased:

  — *Pervert.*

  — *I’m not a pervert!* — Souta exploded.

  The crowd’s eyes turned to him.

  Pikonota.

  Meliora.

  Huh?

  Souta blushed.

  — *I forgot Creamy isn’t visible to others…*

  — *I’m used to talking to myself.*

  — *Now that I think about it… I must look insane.*

  He tried to turn the situation around with a dazzling smile.

  — *It’s nothing, folks!*

  — *I am the Harlequin Souta!*

  — *Fear not! For before horror, I deliver humor with my words!*

  He bowed.

  The pathetic gesture earned smiles…

  and gold coins.

  — *Hahaha!* — the people laughed, carefree.

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  Souta, confused:

  — *They didn’t recognize me?*

  — *And wait… I could get paid just for being myself?*

  He threw himself to the ground and scooped up the coins.

  — *Look at all this money…*

  Pikonota approached.

  — *It must be because you’re handsome. Most noblewomen adore good-looking men.*

  Noblewomen passed by, blushing, whispering:

  — *What a hottie, huh?*

  — *Who is he?*

  — *Must be new…*

  Meliora, jealous, yanked Souta by the collar.

  — *Let’s go before they recognize you!*

  — *Wait, princess!*

  The group continued their journey.

  Creamy explained:

  — *Armoura Village is far from the capital. News takes time to arrive. That’s why you’re not being recognized.*

  Meliora ordered:

  — *We need to buy new clothes and leave this place.*

  Souta smiled, eyes half-closed.

  — *Why are you yelling at me, princess?*

  — *You two were the ones who fought.*

  — *The clothes tore because of that.*

  Pikonota cut in:

  — *If you think about it, it’s your fault for letting us fight.*

  Souta glared at the general.

  — *You’re the most adult one here. You should make your three thousand years count. Behave!* — he pushed her aside with his hands.

  Suddenly…

  A warrior appeared.

  **Tears, the Wolf.**

  She collided with Pikonota.

  The young woman fell instantly.

  — *Watch where you’re going.* — said Tears, firmly.

  Meliora froze.

  — *It’s Tears…*

  — *One of the three noble houses of Beeatrix.*

  — *The Wolfaria royal family.*

  She averted her gaze, nervous.

  — *She must not recognize me!*

  Pikonota held her head.

  — *You brute! You almost cracked me open!*

  Tears raised an eyebrow.

  — *Huh?*

  Souta stepped forward.

  — *Pikonota, you fool. You were the one distracted. Apologize.*

  Creamy appeared:

  — *Actually, it was you who pushed her, sir.*

  Tears stared at Souta.

  — *You’ve got good merchandise here. How much for that one?*

  She pointed at Pikonota.

  — *I like her eyes. They remind me of a dragonoid.*

  Her voice was firm.

  Authoritative.

  Souta thought:

  — *How much?! She wants to buy Pikonota? She thinks I’m a merchant? Why?!*

  Creamy, sarcastic:

  — *Probably because you beat up a merchant and stole his clothes.*

  — *The princess and Miss Pikonota are in rags from this morning’s battle.*

  — *They’re being mistaken for slaves.*

  Souta kept his smile.

  — *Your Excellency… Forgive me, but I can’t part with my dragonoid.*

  Tears pressed on:

  — *So she really is a dragonoid. Now I want her even more. Name your price. I’ll pay any amount. I don’t take no for an answer.*

  Souta kept smiling.

  Eyes half-closed.

  A vein pulsing in his neck.

  — *I hate insistent women. To hell with it… She can have Pikonota for all I care. And I’ll even make some extra cash.*

  “Is Souta really going to sell Pikonota? Or is this just another one of his games?

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