A Warrior Exiled by the Hero and His Lover

Kaede's eyes sparkle on the bustling main street.

This is a town that is relatively close to the village.

It's small compared to other places, but you can buy a great deal of things here.

Also, there are no guilds in the village, so you'll have to come here to petition.

"Well, I'm going to sell the vegetables we harvested."

"Perfect. Meet me at the entrance when you're done?

"Yes, no problem."

Nei pulls a small cart loaded with vegetables.

Frau, Alusha and Pione accompanied her to lend a hand.

With a fairy and an elf tagging along, I'm sure sales will increase due to the rare sight.

Pione also has a gentle demeanor and is surprisingly strong. With three people accompanying Nei, she should be alright

By the way, me and Soara used to help her a lot.

For some reason, the sales were not enough, and I remember finally going back home with Nei, eating some vegetables. It's a good memory.

"It seems like only yesterday we were selling vegetables together."

"That's right. Come to think of it, we sold a lot when you were with us."

"Of course. I'm friendly, pretty, have big breasts, and I encourage people to buy."

"How modest."

You're the only person I know who would say something like that as a matter of course.

She really had me fooled.

At first, Nei didn't believe me when I told her that Soara had hit me in the head with an empty bottle.

Now that she's showing her true personality, things have changed for the better.

Soara wraps her arm around mine.

"Hey."

"It's okay. You usually let Frau and Kaede do it, it wouldn't be bad if we shared Toru a little."

"Well, if you put it that way..."

"Toru is a simpleton, that helps."

"At least say it when no one's listening."

For now, we split up into several groups.

Me and Soara

Kaede and Lynn.

Marianne and Luna.

We will probably meet up with each other at some point, but first we will prioritize where we each want to go.

And since Panda left with Frau, Rosuke will be the one accompanying me.

I have been taking care of him regularly, but he is surprisingly lonely, so I have been trying to spend as much time with him as possible.

"Sha."

"What, you want that?"

"Sha!"

Rosuke stares at the merchandise from the air.

He doesn't actually have eyes, but I can tell by the direction of his head.

In any case, Rosuke rarely becomes interested in anything.

It was an object that could be found anywhere, a simple metal file.

Perhaps you would like to rub your body with this?

Rosuke's body is flexible but tough.

Even if he were to rub his body against a piece of wood, the wood would be the one to get scratched.

I bought the file and lightly scraped it against Rosuke's head.

Rosuke was happy.

"Toru, stop giving your pet all of your attention. You have me, your wonderful priest and slave, at your side."

"You're not a slave-- Ugh..."

*Gyum*

Soara steps on my foot with all her might.

"Insensitive. There's something I have to tell you."

"And what would that be?"

"I've been watching and thinking: Are you properly showing gratitude to Kaede and Frau? Surely you thank them properly, don't you?"

At Soara's words, I frowned and bowed my head.

Show gratitude?

Is it not enough to say thank you?

"Haah~, I knew it. Listen, Toru, you have to take good care of women. Every little thing adds up and has a big impact on the rest of your life."

"What are you trying to say?"

"You have to give them gifts, but considering the number of people, it's really hard, so let's compromise with something."

"The number of people?"

I thought we were just talking about Kaede and Frau.

However, I think she's right. I have limited myself to thanking them but not giving them anything.

"But I don't know what to give a woman."

"Toru? Have you forgotten that I instructed you when you were with Lisa?

Oh no, Soara-san's eyes brimmed with anger.

"Uhm, you have to ask a woman first."

"Yes, if you are unsure of your choice, talk to a woman nearby first. Doing this will greatly increase your chances of avoiding a catastrophe."

"Yes, that's right."

"I knew you'd forget!"

He pinched me hard on the cheek.

It doesn't hurt physically, but psychologically, it does.

What kind of violent priest does that?

Anyway, we stopped at a jewelry store.

"You see, Toru, women are weak to beautiful and shiny things. Many people say that feelings are important, but feelings are not easily conveyed if they are cheap. Therefore, they spend a reasonable amount of money. Oh, this necklace is fine for me."

"I feel like you only want me to buy you something..."

She stared at me, so I shut up.

It seems that I should avoid saying anything unnecessary.

"Buy gifts for everyone here. Make sure you pick something that suits them."

"But I have no sense of style."

"That's why I'm here, isn't it? For now, try to pick something on your own, and let's think about it from there."

Following the teacher's words, I start to choose a gift...

"I think this is perfect."

"Well, I'm not so sure. I think I should give them armor, or some very tasty meat, not jewelry."

"I don't think there are any women in our group who would be happy to receive meat."

This is not true.

I'm sure Nei would love it.

First of all, I would be very happy with some meat.

"Toru, you've been giving us meat every birthday, but I've had enough of that. Or do you want to be called 'Toru the meat man'?"

"I'd rather not be."

And so, I went back to checking the jewelry that was sitting on top of the counter.

Rings inlaid with precious stones.

Each one of them is full of brilliance.

They're made with a special process and the size is automatically adjusted.

"All the rings have the same stones, right?"

"It would be unfair for everyone to have a different stone. The important thing is not the gift, but the one giving it to you."

"Isn't that different from what you said earlier?"

"There are limits in this world. I am a priest and the only woman who likes to receive meat from someone she loves. But forget that last one, I don't want any more meat."

I am not quite sure.

But it's a small price to pay to show my appreciation.

“And…”

Soara asked the merchant to bring out another item.

This is a high-grade slave collar...

"I hear that Kaede and Frau have been freed from slavery, but I recommend that you re-enslave them."

"Do you want them to go back to being slaves?

"Are you sure the two of them don't want that?"

“ .................”

It is true that both Kaede and Frau said they were happy to be my slaves.

I wonder if they meant it.

I guess they're not too happy about being released.

Suddenly, Soara touches my cheek with her finger.

"I think you can trust those girls. They're not like Lisa."

''Yeah, it's useless to think about that, haha.''

As I smiled, Soara lightly slapped my cheek.

"That smile on your face made me angry."

"That doesn't justify hitting me."

I bought the collars for Kaede and Frau and had the store owner wrap them for me.

I hope they'll be happy with this.

"I envy Kaede. I'm a priest, so I can't be a slave."

"Why do you want to be a slave?"

"Hmph. You're as insensitive as ever."

"Hey, no, put your staff down."

Soara smiled and murmured: "I'll settle for this gift."