Chapter 1-31 : The Girl, The Cat, And The Bunny Walk Around The City (part 1)
「Neu… rindor…?」(Elle)
Elle was confused.
The family name on Hugo’s name written on the warranty card was different from his and Elle’s family name.
Hugo wrote his name as “Hugo de Neurindor”, while his and Elle’s family name was Harzheil.
「Hm? What’s the matter?」(shopkeeper)
「N, nothing…」(Elle)
The shopkeeper didn’t seem to know anything about it, so asking him would be pointless.
Elle rolled up the warranty card and put it away in her bag. She then asked the shopkeeper, trying to change the subject.
「There’s something I’ve been wanting to ask. If I bring Neige outside, won’t he stand out in the city? I mean… He’s a living stuffed animal.」(Elle)
「What are you talking about? This is the royal capital, the city full of magic and wonders. Nothing weird in this city. Beastmen, dwarves, elves, dragonewts, and many other races gather in this city. A walking and talking stuffed animal is not weird at all here. Of course, a talking cat too.」(shopkeeper)
Saying that, the shopkeeper glanced at Yoyo and smirked.
Not only did he realize that Yoyo was a fairy, but he also knew that he could talk.
「……Hahh… I really don’t like this type of person…」(Yoyo)
Feeling a bit annoyed that the shopkeeper had seen through him, Yoyo couldn’t help but sigh and looked away.
「Hahaha! Seems like your cat hates me.」(shopkeeper)
「Ahaha… You said a talking stuffed animal wasn’t weird at all. That means there are many others like Neige in this city, right? I thought artificial spirits were rare and took years to make. Are there similar shops who also produce artificial spirits in this city?」(Elle)
When Elle asked that out of curiosity, the shopkeeper’s expression suddenly changed completely.
He looked mad for some reason.
「Artificial spirits? Hah! You can’t call those craps ‘artificial spirits’! They’re just a bunch of ‘moving mindless dolls’ not ‘living’ ones!」(shopkeeper)
「Umm, what do you mean?」(Elle)
「As you said, there are other similar shops like this, but they’re fakes that only produce fake crappy products. Their stuffed animals indeed can walk and talk, but unlike my products, theirs are not ‘alive’. Their products are not artificial spirits. They’re just automated stuffed animals that only behave according to certain rules based on the spell engraved inside their bodies. Unlike my stuffed animals, they don’t have minds.」(shopkeeper)
「So, they’re like golems or something?」(Elle)
「Yeah, similar to that.」(shopkeeper)
「I see.」(Elle)
「Those foolsー those magic tool engineers think they can imitate my masterpieces!」(shopkeeper)
「Umm, why are they making fake version of your products?」(Elle)
「Simply because they’re much cheaper. My living stuffed animals cost tons of money and take a lot of time to make. Those fools tried to make cheaper versions of my products and sell them to the people who can’t afford the stuffed animals from my shop.」(shopkeeper)
「That makes sense.」(Elle)
「Sometimes, people who thought they were my customers came to complain about their stuffed animals. They said their stuffed animals were broken and stopped moving all of a sudden, but when I checked, their stuffed animals turned out to be ones of those fakes. The owners didn’t know that because they received them as gifts from someone else. They thought their broken stuffed animals came from my shop. Those fake products gave me a headache…」(shopkeeper)
「Uhh, that must have been hard for you.」(Elle)
「Yeah. That’s why I started making those warranty cards. Not only can you file a claim using that card, but it also works as proof of ownership of an original product from my shop, so don’t you lose it, okay?」(shopkeeper)
「Alright. I’ll keep it safe.」(Elle)
After replying to the shopkeeper with a nod, Elle shifted her gaze to Neige who was still looking at the knight’s armor.
「Neige, are you sure you want that armor? There are so many other cute outfits here. You don’t want to take a look around first?」(Elle)
「Nope, there’s no need. I’m a thousand percent sure I want this armor and sword!」(Neige)
「If you say so. Um, Sir, I’ll take this knight outfit then.」(Elle)
「Thank you for your patronage, Little Lady.」(shopkeeper)
After thanking Elle, the shopkeeper crouched down and gently put the knight’s armor on Neige.
「Hmm… I think this cloak will make you look even better. Just consider it as a bonus from me.」(shopkeeper)
Saying that, the shopkeeper took the red mantle with fluffy fur hanging on the nearby shelf and put it around Neige’s neck.
After getting dressed, Neige spun around, fluttering his cloak, and then raised his tiny sword up.
「How do I look?」(Neige)
「You look so cuー I mean, cool!」(Elle)
「Hehe~ Of course!」(Neige)
He started swinging the sword around and striking cool poses.
He then glanced at Yoyo who was silently watching him behind Elle’s legs.
Being stared at by Neige, Yoyo squinted. Somehow, he understood what Neige wanted. It seemed that he wanted Yoyo’s opinion too.
Since the shopkeeper knew he could talk, there was no reason for him to remain silent, so he approached Neige and gave his opinion.
「Well, I guess you look pretty cool in that armor. I’m Yoyo, by the way.」(Yoyo)
「Hehe~ Thank you! It’s nice to meet you, Yoyo-senpai!」(Neige)
「Senpai…?」(Yoyo)
「Yup! As Master’s companions, let’s protect her together!」(Neige)
Yoyo couldn’t help but smile. His first impression of Neige was great.
「Not bad, not bad at all. Elle, looks like we got a reliable guy here.」(Yoyo)
「Fufu.」(Elle)
Elle giggled and crouched down. She then stroked Neige’s head.
「Neige, I’ll be in your care from now on.」(Elle)
「Ou!」(Neige)
And thus, Elle gained a reliable bunny knight who would protect her from harm.
「Seems like you like the bunny a lot. I’m happy for you, Little Lady.」(shopkeeper)
「Thank you. Well then, I think we’ll be going now.」(Elle)
「Alright, be careful out there. Feel free to come again anytime. I hope you will find your dad.」(shopkeeper)
「Un.」(Elle)
Elle went to that shop hoping she would obtain some useful information about her father.
She only learned that her father had another family name which was ‘Neurindor’. Other than that, she didn’t get any useful information. However, she got a reliable new companion.
She thought her visit to the Long Tail Factory was fruitful.
She bowed deeply to the shopkeeper, showing her gratitude to him, and then left the shop with Yoyo and Neige.
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