We had finally arrived at Altrix. The streets were bustling with all kinds of people roaming them. Dwarves, humans, elves, it seemed to accept everyone just like in the Royal Capital, which was quite rare when roaming the world.
It was my first time there and just like Amelia had said, it seemed to be the City of Blacksmiths. We had only walked through a single street and we had seen more than three smithies.
"Yike, you still have that old dagger from my Estate, right?" Amelia said with a bright smile. "Why don't we go buy you a new one?"
As she uttered those words, she wrapped her arm around mine as if it had become her second nature.
Our physical interaction seemed to shock Ivy, whose eyes widened at this sight.
"A-Are you dating?" She said, both her cheeks bright red.
"Hm, no. Amelia just likes to hold my arm."
I could immediately tell from Ivy's glance that she thought it was weird. But I didn't care enough to explain why I was allowing her to hold my arm. At the end of the day, it didn't hurt anyone.
Still, right as I turned my back, I felt Amelia glancing toward Ivy for some reason.
'Let's hope they actually get along.'
"C-Can I also wrap my arm around yours?" Ivy suddenly asked, the blush on her face growing by the second.
I felt Amelia's hand tightening around my right arm as Ivy asked that, her nails almost entering my skin.
"Sure, I don't see why not."
I had allowed Amelia to do it, so why couldn't Ivy?
However, I quickly began to regret this decision as we began to get a few strange glances from the inhabitants.
"Why does he have two beautiful ladies hanging on his arms?"
"Did he pay for them?"
"Don't tell me that they're both dating him... They could do so much better."
Most of their comments seemed to be insults aimed in my direction as I understood how strange we looked. After all, most women who would have their arms wrapped around a man would usually be dating him. However, that was the furthest thing from what was happening here.
"Let's go to the best smithy in all of Altrix!" Amelia suddenly exclaimed with a bright smile before whispering to my ear, "He usually wouldn't sell weapons to nobodies, but I have some connections because of my family..."
I quietly nodded as the gazes from the inhabitants kept increasing. They had no idea what to think anymore.
What Amelia had just said made it seem like she was my sugar mommy...
A few more minutes passed before we finally arrived at the best smithy in all of Altrix and it seemed that Amelia had not lied.
This place was absolutely breathtaking. There were dozens of people waiting outside in a line, hoping to finally enter the smithy. Most of them were shouting, trying to catch the attention of those inside.
'How come I never heard of this place before?'
In all of my missions as an assassin, I had never heard or seen this place at all. To think that it would be so famous.
"I'll give you 5M Gold Coins, just make me a sword!"
'5M Gold Coins?' I glanced at Amelia.
This was clearly out of my budget. I wouldn't even be able to come here after our mercenary mission and based on how she had been treated at home, I doubted that she had much money to spend.
"Don't worry, just consider it a gift from me!" She smiled. "Five million is nothing for all you did for me!"
I glanced toward Ivy, who was just as shocked as I was. However, the two of us stayed quiet, letting Amelia guide us.
We walked past the line as even more people sent us gazes before arriving before the door where two dwarves were sitting, looking sharp, clearly set on not letting anyone through.
"Who are you three?" They immediately asked with a frown.
However, Amelia just handed over a small piece of paper as they stepped aside.
"It's a pleasure to have you back!" the two said, the atmosphere changing in the span of seconds.
I was confused at how easy it had been.
'I guess this is the difference in birth. Those who are born with great bloodlines have advantages that the rest of us don't.'
I had always noticed, but seeing it firsthand was different. Nevertheless, now that I was on the other side of it, I couldn't say that it felt all that bad.
"Please have a look around and choose the weapon that fits you the best."
All of us nodded as the two dwarves closed the doors behind us.
The smithy was completely empty inside. It seemed that the people outside didn't know that they wouldn't get a chance at buying any weapons. Still, I couldn't help but think that this smithy was quite strange since there wasn't anyone inside to welcome us, only a ton of weapons being displayed all around us.
"The daggers are over there. Let's go!"
However, just as Amelia began pulling me in that direction, I began thinking that maybe choosing a different weapon might be useful. After all, all the camp had taught was how to use a dagger. If I were to create a new identity, using a different weapon would be a great step in that direction.
I had no idea when they would find me again and I needed to make sure I'd look nothing like my past self.
"Actually, I think I'll go with gauntlets."
"Really? But didn't you use a dagger back then?" Amelia and Ivy immediately asked, referring to completely different times.
I shrugged. "I just want to try something new."
I headed toward the gauntlets section and gave them a good look, picking up the one which I thought was the best. It was completely black with small golden lines intricately woven through the design. The material they were made of also seemed to be of the highest quality.
──────── 『 Dragonic Gauntlets 』────────
◆ A-Rank: Forged from the scales of a high-ranking dragon, these gauntlets greatly enhance the user's physical strength and durability. Each strike carries a faint draconic force, allowing the user to shatter defenses and overwhelm opponents through raw power.
────────────────────────────────
Just as I was about to wear them, a small dwarf whose presence I hadn't sensed said something.
"That's a great choice, young man."
However, I didn't pay attention to what he said, confused as to how he had passed unnoticed. When I had first entered, I had scanned the whole smithy, making sure that no one was there.