Is This Really the Time to be Buying Bags?

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Maki and Chiharu were invited into the children’s house, and their eyes wandered around with interest. The ceiling and doors were low, much like old Japanese houses, but not too low for Maki and Chiharu. The plastered walls were bright, and the furniture was relaxing and made of wood. They could see a large oven in the kitchen where the mother stood.

 

“Many travelers have been coming through here recently, because of the Saintesses. Things have only just calmed down, but they will probably be taking return trips starting tomorrow. So it will be quite lively again.”

 

The mother said as she served them some cold meats. It was served with thinly sliced bread. The steamed meat looked like chicken, and it was also sliced and served on a plate.

 

“See, you put the meat on the bread and pour this dressing on top.”

 

This slightly sour ham sandwich was very delicious.

 

“So, how old are you two? Human children are so much taller, I just can’t get a grasp on their ages.”

“Oh, I am 14 and my sister is 12.”

“Hmm, so you can drink apple wine then?”

“We can!”

“We can!”

“Oh, my. Well, I just happen to have a special, homemade apple wine. Would you like to try it?”

“Of course!”

“Of course!”

 

The homemade apple wine was much sweeter than the one at the inn.

 

“I use apples that are from a relative in a neighboring village, and they are much sweeter. However, the alcohol is also stronger, so you can only have a little.”

“The cider is much better. Here, have some cider.”

 

The children said as they shared some of their drink. It was a very pleasant lunch.

 

“Oh, but the air really has improved. I feel like it started ever since the Saintesses came. The miasma seems to have almost vanished. There should be less trouble in the town now.”

“There was trouble?”

“Dwarves are tough people, but you know, half a year without a Saintess will do it. But humans are much weaker, and the effect of miasma is stronger in them. Passing adventurers become troublesome. I heard that there was a lot of fighting in Gromble. In fact, I would have stopped you two from going if things hadn’t changed.”

“I see. Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. It is a rare thing to be able to play with the birdfolk. Thank you for that.”

 

That wasn’t exactly something that they could take credit for, and so they felt a little bad. But still, considering how much the birdfolk had troubled them up until now, they felt that accepting this gratitude was nothing.

 

“Another house is serving the birdfolk some lunch right now.”

“Thank you.”

“Thank you.”

 

They did no more flying that day. Instead, they spent the time checking out the different shops in the village. According to the shop owner, humans especially liked to buy bags that used the levitation stones. And that the bags sold near the capital had large varieties of designs and functions.

 

“You two were flying, weren’t you? Then you should have one of these pouches, and not a shoulder bag. That way, it won’t move around.”

 

They were recommended a pouch that had two belts that crossed around your waist.

 

“See, normally it would be positioned in the back, but you can turn it to the front so it won’t get in the bird person’s way. The birdfolk should use pouches like this too.”

 

Come to think of it, they had never seen them carrying any bags.

 

“Orne, Puel, come over here.”

“What?”

“What do you think about this bag?”

“I don’t like having things dangle under me.”

“What about this one?”

 

The one with two belts was pretty cool looking.

 

“Hmm.”

“You could move it the front when you are flying.”

“Hey, you. You can try putting it on and flying.”

“Fine.”

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Two Saints wander off into a Different World