The Rising Of The Shield Hero

Chapter 10: Kid's Lunch

"You...."

Oyaji was completely dumbstruck when I brought Raphtalia along with me to the Weapon Shop.
Yep, in order for her to fight efficiently... she needed more offensive power.
So it would be absurd not to buy her a weapon.

"Give me a weapon within the range of 6 silver coins that this girlie can use."
"... Hah."

The Weapon Shop's Oyaji lets out a deep sigh.

"Is this country really that corrupted, or did you become completely rotten to the bone... but whatever, I'm getting 6 silver coins out of this."
"Do you still have any left, things like ordinary clothing or a cape?"
"... It's fine. I'll add those in as a freebie."

Oyaji muttered with a detested tone while bringing out several knives.

"These fall under the 6 silver coins and below category."

From left to right, we have knives made from: Copper, Bronze, and Iron.
They all have the same attack range but different prices.
I made Raphtalia hold each of the knives a few times before choosing the one which she was most comfortable with.

"This one's good."

Raphtalia's face paled as she looked at me and Oyaji with the knife in her hands.

"Here, your free clothes and mantle."

Oyaji handed them over with a brusque shove and guided us to the changing room.
I seized Raphtalia's knife and then instructed her to wear the donated clothing.
Raphtalia tottered into the changing room while coughing; she then got changed.

"She still looks rather messy... let's give her a bath later on."

There was a river flowing near the meadow.
In this country, the river splits into various branches as it flows downstream. My camping grounds have recently been relocated in that area.
It's a great spot since I can always fish for food.
Some of the fishes that I caught were absorbed, unsealing the effects of the 'Fish Shield' and acquiring Angling Techniques 1 as a result.

Raphtalia timidly tottered over to me after she finished changing.
It seemed she understood that disobeying will bring about pain.
I squatted down to Raphtalia's eye level and spoke to her.

"Now then, Raphtalia, this here is your weapon. From now on, you and I will be fighting monsters together. You get what I'm saying?"
"..."

Raphtalia nodded at my words with frightened eyes.
Good, because it'll be painful if she didn't understand.

"Now then, with that knife in your hand――"

I took out the Orange Balloon that was hidden within my cloak and placed it in front of Raphtalia.
"Hack and slash this thing."
"Hii!?"

When I showed her the hidden demon, Raphtalia screamed in shock and dropped her weapon.

"Eh... N-...No."
"That's an order. Do it."
"I-, I can't."

Raphtalia shook her head vigorously. However, she was then struck with a surge of pain due to her disobedience from the slave spell.

"Guh..."
"Come now, it'll only continue hurting if you don't stab this thing."
"*Koho...koho!*"

Raphtalia's face contorted in pain as she firmly gripped her weapon.

"You..."

Oyaji was rendered speechless as he witnessed our little theatrics.
Raphtalia firmly steeled her will to kill as I shoved against the Orange Balloon that was biting on my arm.
Buni...