Chapter 5: 05. The Swordswoman Is Too Cute.

Time passed and now, Austin and Nora had lodged in an inn.

Austin was still feeling exhausted, so he wanted to lie down and not move for the whole night, but before that, he glanced around at the room Nora had managed to get for them.

The room was a simple yet clean room with one bed and a small table.

It had a candle on the windowsill with nothing else noteworthy.

Anyways, Austin lowered himself onto the edge of the bed with a long groan while pressing one hand against his ribs.

"Tch tch tch." Austin clicked his tongue in pain as he wondered how long Nora would take before returning.

Right after she had gotten a room for Austin to rest in, Nora had hurried out of the inn in search of any potion store still open in the night.

It had been half an hour now, so Austin wondered where she could be.

However, while his mind was preoccupied with worried thoughts, Nora suddenly arrived with a tray of food in one hand and a small green bottle in the other.

She set everything down on the bed carefully before glancing at Austin. "I’m sorry, Young Master. This was the only room available in the inn, but I think the price was a little too much though, because it cost twenty silvers for a night here."

Austin smiled and looked around the room with a shrug. "It’s fine, Nora. It’s only for one night, so let’s just enjoy our time here for now." He informed her and she nodded before pointing at the small green bottle.

"Um, the potion was also costly because the store owner said it was the best they had in the shop, and it cost five silvers."

Austin stared at her in surprise. "What? Five silvers?"

He moved to reach for the bottle and immediately winced from moving so suddenly. "Ow. That’s a bit too much, isn’t it?" He asked and Nora’s ears flattened in realisation.

"What? So the storekeeper lied to me? I’m sorry, Young Master, I didn’t know. If you want, I could go back and beat some sense into him for lying to me. I promise it would only be a little bit of beating and nothing too serious."

Austin grinned softly before picking up the green bottle to inspect it.

His eyes flashed a little and the potion detail got displayed in front of him, thanks to his system screen.

---

[Item Detected.]

[Item Name: Body Healing Potion.]

[Impurity-Free Level: 3%.]

[Grade: Common.]

[Effect: Helps in reducing pain temporarily whilst healing minor injuries.]

[Standard Market Price: 3 Silver.]

---

"I knew it. Healing potions of this quality are usually priced at three silvers, so he just added two extra silvers on top as personal profit. That means he gained two hundred copper coins in profit for one sale. Hmm, not bad for an unexpected night sale."

Hearing what Austin had just said, Nora’s cute face turned sinister because she realised she had been tricked by the store owner without even knowing. "Excuse me, Young Master. I believe I should definitely head back to the store before he closes."

"Why?"

"Just to talk to him. I promise I’ll be back before you even know it." Nora muttered softly as she tried not to make eye contact with Austin.

She had been tricked tonight, so Nora didn’t want to see how upset Austin might be at her right now.

However, this also made her so pissed at the store owner, and she couldn’t wait to have a few words with him before he left.

Meanwhile, Austin knew just as she did that words definitely wouldn’t be coming from her mouth if she were to see the store owner tonight. Instead, it would have definitely been her fists slamming against the storekeeper’s face rather than the other way around.

"So, you want to beat up the store owner, huh?"

Austin asked, and Nora nodded cutely while her gaze remained fixed on the bed. "Yes, but it would only be a little. I promise."

Hearing this, Austin couldn’t help but smile even more, up to the point of even chuckling a little.

However, he immediately regretted smiling and almost laughing because the pain returned and he had to press his hand to his ribs for the pain to pass, and when it did, Austin reached up to pat her head gently.

His fingers slowly brushed against one of her soft wolf ears and Nora went completely still upon sensing his hand on her head, for it had been years since he had last touched or played with her ear.

"I understand what you must be feeling right now, Nora, but there’s really no need for that. I’d rather have my cute wolfkin girl here with me than have her running around in the dark picking fights with shopkeepers. Okay?"

Hearing this, Nora’s face turned completely red and her tail began to wag softly behind her.

However, she still didn’t make eye contact with him.

Instead, she drifted her gaze to look at a spot somewhere on the wall before nodding to what he had said.

"If Young Master wants me here, then I’ll stay."

"Good. I’d like that." Austin patted her a little more because from his memories, Austin recalled how Nora had always loved being patted on the head.

But while he continued to do this, a small notification suddenly appeared quietly in the corner of his vision.

[Congratulations! Nora’s Affection towards Host is now 30%.]

Seeing this, Austin smiled softly before turning his attention to the potion.

Then he uncorked it before swallowing it in one go.

The pain in his body faded slowly until he was completely healed.

Now, he had enough strength to breathe safely and to move his body without wincing too much.

The healing pill had done its job, healing half of his injuries, and now the healing potion had done its own job as well.

Now, he could move around easily without grunting and groaning.