Ch.113[Chapter 113] The Incident

The next morning.

Sir Dominic woke up early, ate breakfast, and began training.

Though it was his usual routine, he decided it would be best to train thoroughly in the morning since he would be learning about equipment from Unryu Hime in the afternoon.

While practicing blocking vital points and deflecting attacks with his shield, he heard a familiar voice from behind.

“Master!”

It was Alice’s voice, same as always.

Sir Dominic wiped away his sweat and turned around.

And his expression hardened.

…

“Ugh… maybe I should have slept a little more…”

Unryu Hime headed to the training grounds with a drowsy expression.

Was it because she had been too excited last night?

Unable to sleep properly, Hime shook her head, trying to wake herself up.

Thinking that moving her body might help, she arrived at the training grounds and began moving quickly between various training equipment without making a sound.

Did the exercise help a little?

Hime felt somewhat more awake.

This should be enough to avoid embarrassing herself, she thought, and decided she needed a bath after sweating from the intense exercise.

There were still about two hours left, so there would be enough time for a bath.

Though it would be cutting it close, Hime headed to the bathhouse, figuring she could leave immediately after bathing.

Two hours later.

Hime left Himetotzsaigo Castle feeling completely refreshed.

After bathing and waking up properly, Hime arrived at the meeting place, the entrance to the Market Area, right on time, but Sir Dominic was nowhere to be seen.

What could have happened? she wondered, waiting for a moment before checking the time on her wrist watch.

It’s exactly 3 o’clock. He’s a bit late.

As she was thinking this, a couple passed by her, and the woman said:

“Honey! Did you know? Today the sun rose about an hour earlier than yesterday!”

The woman spoke in an annoying nasal voice full of aegyo, saying things nobody asked about.

Hime frowned at the unpleasant sound, but suddenly realized something from those words.

She looked at her watch again.

Digital? Analog? No, going back even further.

The watch on Hime’s wrist was a sundial.

A sundial that was part of the seven ninja tools she had bought deliberately for her image!

The watch showed 3 o’clock, but considering what the woman had just said, Hime had arrived at the meeting place about an hour early.

There must have been a discrepancy between time and celestial bodies during yesterday’s temporary maintenance.

While she was merely confused about the time, those who dealt with celestial matters would surely get an earful and have to provide compensation.

After these idle thoughts, Hime began to wonder what to do for the next hour.

She could find a café or somewhere to rest, but having stayed up all night, she would likely fall asleep.

She didn’t want to be late after arriving early at the meeting place.

Perhaps walking would be the best solution, she thought.

Conveniently, there was a small park between the Market Area and the industrial district nearby.

Taking a walk around it would help pass the hour quickly.

With that in mind, Hime started walking.

“Wow! Look at the lake! It’s a level 70 boss duck!”

“Really? Wow! That’s rare. We’re lucky today.”

“Anyone want to play Go? Beginners only!”

“Hey, you’re terrible at Go. I might play Omok with you though.”

Hime entered the park.

From the entrance, various people had gathered.

People gathered to see ducks in the lake.

Elderly people who came to socialize.

“Ladies and gentlemen! What is this? It’s the legendary elixir that can raise even the dead—”

“Cotton candy for sale! We also sell cotton candy bombs!”

And peddlers who came to sell things to these people.

Hime began walking slowly through the park.

“Hey miss, how about a potion?”

“Not interested.”

“Pretty lady! Would you like some tea as clear as your skin?”

“No, thank you.”

The persistent attacks from peddlers.

Like ads popping up after finishing a round in a mobile game, the continuous stream of peddlers made Hime regret not just waiting at the meeting place.

That’s when she heard:

“Sir Dominic merchandise for sale! Squishy Sir Dominic dolls for 300 Gacha Stones!”

Hime stopped in her tracks.

What was this about?

She turned her head toward the voice.

There was a stall selling shoddy unofficial merchandise.

“We also have Park Chunbae dolls, the pride of Gaeam 3-dong… Damn, why do we have so much of this in stock? Anyway, we have that too! That!”

A large stall selling unofficial merchandise even of Park Chunbae, one of the three major landmines among 1-star cards.

Curious, Hime slowly approached the stall.

“Ah, customer! What would you like to buy?”

A merchant wearing a turban on his head patted his plump belly and smiled.

Yellow gold teeth gleamed between his bright smile.

“Just looking around. By the way, what’s this Sir Dominic doll…?”

Hime had no intention of buying anything.

She just wanted to satisfy her curiosity and then leave.

“Ah, you know your stuff. This is a hot item these days.”

The merchant smiled confidently and pulled out a doll wrapped in a bag from under the counter.

A plush doll just the right size to fit in one’s arms.

A more deformed version of the real Sir Dominic.

Unlike the original who lacked cuteness, this was adorably cute.

Hime momentarily considered buying it.

Yes, she actually considered it.

Realizing this, she took a step back from the stall.

“Hm? What’s wrong? Don’t like it? Well, it is a bit expensive. How about this one?”

The turbaned merchant flashed his gold teeth and pulled out a new doll.

The plump plush doll, about the size of a palm, was certainly smaller than the previous one but still recognizable as Sir Dominic.

“This one’s 120 Gacha Stones. Cheap, cheap!”

“Uh…uh…”

Hime slowly approached the doll and opened her wallet.

And just as she was about to snatch the doll—

“Officer! Over here, over here!”

“This is a crackdown on illegal vendors! Stay where you are!”

Police rushed to the stall where Hime was standing.

“Damn. One more sale and I would have leveled up my skill.”

“We’ll discuss the details at the police station.”

The merchant was handcuffed and escorted to the police car.

Hime sat on the ground, looking at her empty hands, opening and closing them.

What on earth had just happened?

Why had she wanted to buy that thing?

While pondering this, someone asked if she was alright.

“Are you okay?”

Hime turned her head in surprise.

There stood a small woman looking at Hime with concerned eyes.

“Ah, thank you. I’m not sure what just happened…”

“Illegal vendors have been increasing lately. I guess this is your first time experiencing it?”

The small woman extended her hand to Hime.

Hime tried to take it and stand up, but given their significant height difference, it wasn’t much help.

Deciding to accept the gesture in spirit, Hime stood up on her own and asked the small woman:

“Illegal vendors?”

“Yes. Peddlers selling unauthorized goods. They usually have commercial skills and set up stalls like this to force sales. And you almost fell for it.”

The small woman adopted a proud expression and posture, as if saying “I did well, right? Praise me.”

Hime almost patted her head.

“Anyway, thank you for your help. I should repay you somehow…”

“It’s nothing. I just happened to help, so don’t worry about it.”

“Still…”

“I was just cracking down on illegal Sir Dominic merchandise. It seems you like Sir Dominic too?”

Hime nodded unconsciously.

It was true that she liked him.

“Then you especially shouldn’t buy such illegal merchandise. If you need something, either make it yourself or commission—”

Hime stared blankly at the small woman who had started saying incomprehensible things.

Is this how Sir Dominic feels all the time?

Hime felt like she understood Sir Dominic’s feelings a little better.

“Oh dear. My condition is acting up again. I’m sorry. I’m such a fan of Sir Dominic that I lose my mind whenever he’s mentioned.”

“It’s fine. Sir Dominic is that charming after all.”

“Right! I’m glad to meet someone who understands!”

The small woman covered her mouth and laughed.

She was so happy that Hime almost thought she saw a halo behind her head.

“Ah! That’s right! I’m sorry, but I need to go now. I have a commission to pick up.”

“But your reward—”

“It’s fine! Buy me coffee next time we meet!”

The small woman disappeared into the distance with nimble movements.

Hime muttered toward the direction the small woman had gone:

“Next… time?”

It was a misunderstanding caused by the small woman feeling psychologically too close to Hime.

…

As you might have guessed, this small woman was none other than the Star “I’m Not Little.”

“Hehe. Today is my lucky day.”

I’m Not Little was in a great mood.

She had successfully cracked down on illegal merchandise and met someone who shared her interests.

Above all, today was the day her commissioned [One-Eyed Knight Figurine (★★★★★)] would be completed.

A five-star quality! Exceptionally well-made!

Wanting to see the figurine as soon as possible, I’m Not Little ran through the alleyway.

Running at an surprisingly fast pace, I’m Not Little suddenly encountered someone who darted out from another alley as if escaping.

“Wh-what?”

Having run too fast to react in time, I’m Not Little collided with the suspicious person.