Liana could feel it instinctively—the man’s swordsmanship was at least a step… no, clearly a level above hers.
“Tss—”
A blade grazed her neck. It was a shallow cut, just stinging enough to annoy her. But a little deeper, and it would’ve been serious.
‘What the hell is this guy doing?’
Ironically, the pain helped her realize something. The man wasn’t swinging his sword with real intent to kill.
But that didn’t mean his attacks weren’t dangerous.
Several more dangerous exchanges passed, their blades clashing in close quarters.
“Not bad.”
“What are you babbling about, you lunatic…?”
The man backed off slightly, making casual conversation as if they hadn’t just been locked in combat. Judging by the situation, the only thing worth complimenting would be her sword skills.
If that was really it, then this was beyond irritating.
No one would enjoy getting dragged into a swordfight for making a single normal comment.
Just as Liana opened her mouth in frustration—
“Oh dear, customers! You can’t be doing that here.”
A sudden burst of light swallowed both the man and Liana.
And just like that, Liana was thrown out of the Crow’s Nest Banquet.
‘That damned lunatic…!’
Even now, thinking about it made her blood boil. But what was done was done.
Liana believed that dwelling on irreversible things wasn’t good for one’s peace of mind, so she tried to shake off her anger.
Fortunately, a stroll through the lively market helped lift her mood.
“Well, I came all the way here. Might as well enjoy myself.”
She’d lost both the time and the purpose of her visit because of what happened yesterday, so today she decided to just relax—eat something good and shop for a gift or two.
“What flavor would you like?”
“Hmm, apple please.”
“Enjoy!”
“Thanks, and good luck with sales!”
Liana, who had a soft spot for sweets, munched on her icy fruit treat as she wandered through the streets.
“…A discerning eye, madam! This jewelry box comes from the far Eastern Continent…”
A shrill middle-aged merchant’s voice echoed from a nearby stand, unintentionally drawing Liana’s gaze.
“So how much is it?”
“…I’ll give you a deal! Just one gold and ten silver!”
Liana narrowed her eyes.
A noble-looking man with a cold face was about to get scammed.
In Liana’s estimation, the box wasn’t worth more than ten silver coins—at most.
‘That’s highway robbery.’
This top-tier city in Rown bordered both the Empire and the Northern Kingdom, and was known for its mix of cultures and noble tourists. The merchant must have assumed the man was another clueless aristocrat.
‘He doesn’t look that naïve, though…’
Despite his noble appearance, the man didn’t seem ignorant of the world. He looked down at the overpriced box without much interest—like he wasn’t buying it because he wanted to.
Liana wasn’t the type to interfere in other people’s business.
‘…Wait.’
He wasn’t clueless. He knew the box wasn’t worth the price.
‘That guy… isn’t he the same scammer who tried to trick me before?’
The moment she recognized the merchant’s face—one she hadn’t forgotten since the last time he ripped her off—Liana made up her mind.
Time for a little “righteous meddling.”
She marched straight over.
“Hey.”
Both the merchant and the refined man turned to look at her.
“…Me?”
“Not you. You, the old man.”
She shot the merchant a cold look, the corner of her mouth twitching into a smile.
Liana had no sympathy for people who used children in their scams.
“You really shouldn’t be conning people just because they look clueless.”
At the word “con,” the merchant panicked.
“Wha—what’re you talking about?! I never conned anyone! This is outrageous!”
Liana gave the surrounding crowd a quick glance. Other merchants nearby avoided eye contact with the scammer and smirked—seemed like he wasn’t exactly loved.
“Haha, funny. In that case, I’ll buy the box instead.”
“…You? Why?”
Liana smiled sweetly.
“So I can walk over to another stall and try to resell it. I paid one gold and ten silver, so I should get at least half back—maybe fifty-five silver, right?”
The merchant’s face crumpled like a soggy rice cake.
But Liana didn’t stop there.
“Hmm, but I did see the exact same box selling for five silver at a different stand. It’s from the Eastern Continent too, right? Funny how they can afford to sell it that cheap.”
“T-this is outrageous! Get out of here if you’re not buying! Damn kids these days, no respect for elders!”
The scammer snapped, glaring at her, but also nervously eyeing the noble-looking man’s reaction.
What an incredible commitment to his “craft.”
“Just be honest in your dealings, old man. Keep this up and even your neighbors will start cursing you.”
With a cold smile, Liana turned to the man beside her. His eyes held an unreadable expression.
“Sorry for butting in. But seriously—buy your jewelry box somewhere else. That one’s total junk.”
She shrugged lightly, apologizing for the intrusion.
She didn’t yet realize she’d eventually regret not letting the man get scammed.
Later…
After finishing her errands, Liana ducked into a cozy tavern to try Benpool’s local specialty alcohol. She had to return to the border tomorrow.
“Mind if I join you?”
Liana looked up from her glass of icy Benpool wine.
A familiar face.
Same unremarkable hair and eye color, but a face too sharp to be ordinary—the man from the market.
“…Oh, it’s you. That noble-looking guy from earlier.”
He gave a small chuckle and tapped a chair with his fingers.
“We’ve met, so it shouldn’t be a problem to sit together.”
“There are plenty of open seats, though?”
“Well, I’m not good at eating alone. I get lonely. But I’ll pay for the drinks.”
He said this nonsense with a straight face, tapping the chair again like it was a habit.
“…Whatever. Sit if you want.”
After a moment of hesitation, Liana shrugged and nodded to the seat across from her.
It was dinner time, and tables were filling up. And free booze was always welcome.
“Thanks.”
“It’s not free, you know.”
Liana waved down a server.
“Can we get another menu here?”
“Y-yes, right away!”
The young server blushed bright red at Liana’s smile and hurried off.
Soon, he returned with two menus, cheeks still flaming. Regulars nearby seemed amused.
“Let me know when you’re ready to order!”
“Thanks.”
Liana gave him a polite nod and a grin that nearly made the poor guy combust.
“Your tone’s different from earlier.”
The man across from her finally spoke again, watching her with interest.
“He’s a kid, isn’t he? You have to be nice to kids.”
“That’s unexpected.”
“What is?”
“You don’t exactly look like someone who likes kids.”
Liana laughed.
It wasn’t the first time she’d heard that.
“There’s no such thing as a ‘kid-loving face,’ you know.”
“True enough.”
Their casual banter flowed naturally. Despite his sharp features, the man had a surprisingly cool and relaxed attitude.
“Anyway, pick something. You’re paying, remember?”
Liana slid the menu toward him and took another sip of her drink.
