Meanwhile, Alan stepped into the sophisticated shop, but found no one to greet them. However, the remarkable interior of the shop was welcoming enough for him. He ventured further, with Relecta visibly upset and pouting behind him.
As Alan entered the main shop, he was greeted by a grand sight—a giant table beside a changing room, surrounded by rolls of fabric, each one more beautiful than the last. Moving closer, he noticed an array of tailor's tools neatly arranged on the table.
Knowing how to catch the attention of the shop owner, Alan knocked on the table thrice, prompting a distinguished-looking man to emerge from behind the set of armors. The man wore a monocle and a stylish vest over his overall, his silver hair slicked back, and his demeanor exuded experience.
"Well, well, well, it seems we have a gentleman amongst ourselves," the shopkeeper remarked with a bow, approaching Alan with grace. "Do tell, what service can I offer you on this fine day?"
Impressed by the shopkeeper's demeanor, Alan reciprocated the greeting, saying, "Just something I've learned from gentlemen like you. I suppose I require your expertise in crafting a custom attire for me, one that can aid me in my travels in Relic Castle as a raider."
Alan's demeanor shifted, surprising Relecta with his refined behavior reminiscent of high-class scholars she had seen in her homeland markets.
"Very well, sir," the shopkeeper responded. "As you can see behind you, sir," Alan turned to admire the beautiful fabrics once more at the shopkeeper's prompting, "I have a variety of magnificent fabrics, each with unique and extraordinary properties, acquired from the exotic locations of Relic Castle. If you would just tell me your requirements or preferences, I may be able to craft a custom attire tailored specifically to your body."
Turning back with anticipation and a puzzled expression, Alan addressed the tailor, "I'm not sure if you've ever made an attire with the request I have in mind."
To his doubt, the tailor chuckled softly, his gaze lowered, and said, "Then I believe it would be a new experience added to my 70 years of career. But fret not, my sir, you just write your requirements on this paper," the tailor handed Alan a paper and a feather pen, "and I will do my best to meet your expectations."
Alan, observing the tailor's confidence, swiftly took the paper and penned down the description and preferences for his attire. Handing it to the tailor, he said, "Here, see if you can work with these."
The tailor accepted the paper, his expression shifting as he scanned the contents. Furrowing his brow, a look of unease mingled with contemplation surfaced. "Hmmphh… you do not exaggerate, sir. These are indeed some peculiar demands," he remarked, considering the details carefully. "But I believe I can accommodate them. Allow me a moment."
Turning, the tailor retrieved a roll of fabric after careful selection, from behind him, carefully unfurling it in front of Alan. "Judging by your preferences, I believe this material will be best suited for your attire."
Alan examined the fabric before him, marveling at its elasticity and softness. It felt almost weightless in his hands. Looking to the tailor for an explanation, the man met his inquiring gaze with a knowing smile.
"This is silk woven from the wool sliva of giant spiders found on Level 30 in Relic Castle," the tailor explained. "It possesses remarkable properties—it's agile enough to withstand the force of two giants pulling it apart with all their might, yet sturdy enough to resist even a heavy arrow. It's fire-resistant, lightweight enough to float on water, and even resistant to poisons. Perfect for someone as agile as yourself, as it won't hinder your movements. However, I must warn you, it does come at a higher price."
Alan interrupted him before he could finish. "Don't worry about the payment. Just begin crafting as soon as possible."
Impressed by the description of the material, Alan interrupted the tailor before he could mention the price, knowing that quality often came at a cost. With Alan's confirmation, the tailor nodded and swiftly began taking his measurements with a measuring tape before disappearing into his quarters behind the changing room.
As Alan waited, he glanced at Relecta, who had been pouting so intensely that her cheeks had turned red with frustration from being ignored since their arrival at the shop. Alan approached her, but she turned away in anger. Feeling remorseful for his neglect, Alan humbled his voice and looked at her with pleading eyes.
"I'm sorry... Please forgive me for ignoring you like that," he apologized, but even after his heartfelt apology, Relecta remained upset, eyeing him from the corner of her eye, waiting for him to realize something.
Alan, puzzled by Relecta's insistence, quickly grasped her unsaid demand and asked in a disappointed yet stern voice, "What... what do you want?"
"Armor!!!" Relecta exclaimed, her demand finally receiving Alan's attention.
"Armor, but why?" Alan inquired, genuinely confused by her sudden request.
"I want!!!" Relecta persisted, her voice rising with each repetition.
"But why do you want armor?!" Alan countered.
"I do!!! I do!! I just do!!!" Relecta threw a tantrum, insisting on her demand. Not wanting to spoil their visit to the shop, Alan relented and began scanning the shop for something that would satisfy her request. His gaze fell upon a full set of armor paired with red tights displayed on a wooden dummy in the corner. Alan swiftly retrieved the armor for Relecta and pushed her into the changing room with it, asking her to try it on.
After a few minutes of audible struggle emanating from the changing room, Relecta emerged stiffened in the armor, looking as though she had been swallowed whole by it. Alan couldn't help but tease her with fake astonishment. "Whoa!!! Relecta, you look so menacing!!"
To Alan's mockery, Relecta shot him a glare and hissed, her teeth bared like a feral creature. With ferocity, she began removing parts of the armor and tearing the edges of the tights.
By the time she was done, the armor remained only as a chestplate and half shoulder plates hanging down to her biceps. The bracelets of the armor extended only to the end of her forearms, while the torn tights now resembled shorts, stretching from her neck to just below her thighs. Completing her ensemble were the remnants of the shin guards and metal boots, now set on her legs like a trophy.
Alan stared in shock at Relecta's transformation of the armor, her destructive actions leaving him speechless. The tailor, emerging from his quarters upon hearing the commotion, observed the ruined armor with a mix of anger and frustration. In a stern tone, he addressed Alan, attempting to contain his anger.
"That was the armor made from the tusk of a pygmy elephant from floor 19," the tailor explained, his voice tight with restraint. "While not the sturdiest, it is exceptionally agile and resistant to poison, fire, and magical attacks from enchanted weapons. And above all, it is very expensive. So, should I add that to the bill as well, sir?"
Alan, witnessing Relecta's pride in her actions, felt a mixture of disappointment and frustration. With a resigned sigh, he replied to the tailor in a subdued voice, "Sure, please do."
After an hour of waiting, the tailor finally emerged, laying out all of Alan's purchases on the table and recounting them for confirmation.
"Here you are, sir. Thank you for your patience," the tailor said, presenting Alan with his attire—a sleek black ensemble neatly packed in a box. Beside it lay a box of potions and a small knapsack made from the same material as Alan's attire. Then, with a hint of sarcasm, the tailor added, "And here is the masterpiece by Lady Relecta. That brings your total to 10,200 Gold coins."
Alan's eyes widened at the hefty sum, glancing at Relecta who eagerly grabbed her sack containing her modified armor and bounded out of the shop, her joy palpable with every leap.
With a heavy sigh, Alan gathered his purchases, counting out five large sacks of gold coins to pay the tailor. Despite the tailor's gratitude, Alan couldn't shake off a twinge of regret as he exited the shop, his steps weighed down by the weight of his decision.
"So we've got armor, attire, sleeping tent, and all the necessary potions. What about you, Alan?" Aurelia inquired, taking her seat at a large table outside a fancy food stall near the east exit of Inges Emporium. Armis sat beside her, helping to tally their purchases.
Alan wearily approached and slumped into a seat on the opposite side of Aurelia, dropping his bags onto the table with a tired sigh. Meanwhile, Relecta bounded over, brimming with excitement, and claimed the seat beside Alan. She proudly placed her sack containing her armor onto the table and exclaimed, "And here's mine!"
Aurelia's smile widened at Relecta's enthusiasm as she reached for the sack containing her armor. Opening it, she admired the gleaming pieces inside and began to speak, her curiosity piqued.
"Wow! Alan, you got her the armor too? But I thought you were still not sure ab..." Aurelia's sentence trailed off as she noticed Alan's intense glare, signaling her to halt her inquiry. She paused, puzzled by his reaction, and closed the sack without finishing her thought.
Recognizing Alan's signal, Aurelia quickly adjusted her expression to one of feigned delight as she handed the sack back to Relecta, who looked puzzled by the sudden shift in tone.
"Wow, Relecta, it's so beautiful," Aurelia complimented with a forced smile.
Relecta hesitated, clearly unsure about the abrupt change, but she accepted the praise nonetheless.
"Thank you... I made it myself!" Relecta's smile returned, her excitement evident once again as she reclaimed her sack.
Sensing the awkward silence that followed Aurelia's slip-up, Armis swiftly changed the subject. "So!" he exclaimed, causing Aurelia to smile and regain her composure. "Aurelia, where are we going next?"
Aurelia caught on to Armis's tactic and maintained her excitement. "Oh yeah... Let's see, after treating ourselves to some nice lunch here," she said, picking up the wooden tablet with the food stall's offerings written on it. "So, I'll be having the sea birch broth. And what about you, Armis?"
Armis quickly took the menu from Aurelia's hand and, after giving it a glance, he stuttered a response. "I will have that too. What about you, Alan?" he asked, noticing Alan's exhausted state.
Alan, who had buried his head in his arms on the table, unusually exhausted, mumbled a reply. "I'll have whatever you guys are having. And for Relecta s—"
"I'll have the FULL BOWL OF CHICKEN BROTH!!" Relecta interrupted with excitement, startling Alan, who raised his head with frustrated squinting eyes at her.
Aurelia, now relieved of tension, smiled and took the menu from Relecta's hand. "Sure, Relecta, have whatever you want. My treat."
"Yeah! Yeah!" Relecta jumped in her seat with joy at Aurelia's offer.
Taking her order Aurelia turned her gaze in the direction of the vacant seat, pausing in puzzlement for a moment. She scanned her friends, counting heads, and once again ended up on the same empty spot. Confused, she turned to Armis.
"Are we missing someone?" she asked, furrowing her brow in confusion.
Armis scanned the area, suddenly realizing, and exclaimed in response, "Oh yeah! We completely forgot about Lyco!"
Upon Armis's declaration, Aurelia, Alan, and Relecta began scanning around for Lyco as well. Alan spoke up, voicing his confusion, "I thought he went with you guys."
"And we thought he was with you," Armis responded, sharing the same confusion.
"Then where is the twerp?!" Aurelia asked aloud, her voice tinged with concern for their teasing companion.
Suddenly, a voice reached their ears from behind Alan.
"HEY!!!! GUYS!!!!!"
Everyone turned to see Lyco approaching them with an unusually humble demeanor. He bounced with every step, carrying a giant knapsack on his back, which shook violently, threatening to spill its contents with each movement. Lyco reached the table, placing his knapsack on it with a heavy thud that nearly crushed the table beneath its weight.
Peeking out from behind his knapsack, Lyco wore a humble expression, his eyes squinting with an enormous smile that seemed out of character and slightly unsettling. Aurelia, feeling uneasy, voiced her concern in a loud voice, "Where the hell were you, twerp? And what is all this? Shopping spree much?"
Lyco swiftly removed the knapsack from the table and placed it on the ground before taking his seat. With the same humble expression, he gazed at Aurelia with a big smile as he responded, "Me? Oh! I was in heaven, with a goddess! And these are the gifts she gave me."