Can Someone (Anyone!) Please Turn Off the Auto-Skill Setting?! - Chapter 13
“Aaron!”
Unfortunately, Aaron was once again fully armored from head to toe. He looked at Nancy blankly, as if seeing her for the first time.
“I’m sorry. Was it too familiar of me to call out to you as if we were close, even though we’ve only met once?”
Feeling embarrassed, Nancy apologized, and Aaron finally made a sound of recognition.
“Nancy. You’re the kind shopkeeper who sheltered me from the rain.”
“Only now you remember? That’s harsh, especially since I even served you tea!”
“I’m not very good at remembering women’s faces…”
Aaron apologized, saying he hadn’t meant to ignore her on purpose. But Nancy felt even more slighted by his excuse.
Not just any face, but he can’t remember “women’s faces”? Is he one of those paladins who value chastity above all?
Nancy narrowed her eyes and glared at Aaron. After all, this was the man who had promised to return with money but hadn’t shown up since. His noble act annoyed her even more.
“Are you here to compete today as well?”
“That’s the plan, but do you think I’m overestimating myself?”
She snapped back sharply, and Aaron, surprised, unfolded his arms.
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Never mind. I know my own limits better than anyone. I’m not good at fighting. The only reason I’m here today is to promote my shop.”
There was a bigger reason, but that was a secret she wouldn’t share even if her lips were sealed shut. As Nancy replied with a haughty tone, Aaron noticed the sack slung over her shoulder.
“It’s popcorn. One handful for 1 gold—interested?”
“Sorry, I don’t have any money on me right now.”
“Are the paladins’ salaries really that low? You never seem to have money.”
Aaron, looking sheepish, shrugged his shoulders.
Not all knights are rich, I guess. Nancy pitied him and handed him a handful of popcorn.
Aaron looked between the popcorn in his hand and her, seemingly conflicted, before finally removing his helmet.
Nancy, a merchant to her core, hadn’t given the popcorn away for nothing.
With a satisfied, cat-like expression, Nancy studied his face in detail. Maybe it was because they were outside, but his complexion seemed better than before, making him look even more handsome.
“Since you’ve accepted the bribe, could you hold this sack for me while I’m competing?”
“So it wasn’t really free.”
“Of course not.”
“Alright, I’ll hold it for a while.”
Aaron spoke with a tone that suggested he was humoring her, then shrugged his shoulders again.
“Oh, but don’t eat too much of it. I still need to sell some.”
“I’m not that much of a glutton.”
Aaron furrowed his brow but then let out a small laugh.
When he smiles, the world brightens up, Nancy thought in amazement.
Whoever marries him will get to live with that face every day, without ever feeling tired. Nancy found herself feeling envious of whoever his wife would be.
If only he weren’t a paladin, I’d try harder to win him over. Should I take the risk anyway? As long as I keep my title as a Dark Merchant hidden, it might work. It’s not like anyone can forcefully uncover a hidden title…
“If you become the hero, I could sell that popcorn as ‘The Hero’s Favorite’ at a higher price,” Nancy joked, while internally mulling over her thoughts.
Aaron, who had been quietly eating popcorn, suddenly paused.
“Unfortunately, I’m not going to be the hero.”
His mood darkened again, returning to the somber expression he had when they first met. It seemed he was still troubled by the knight he had mentioned before—Leo.
Isn’t he being too hard on himself? What’s so special about this Leo guy anyway?
Nancy wasn’t particularly impressed by this Leo chump, but it seemed Aaron wasn’t the only one who held him in high regard.
As the grand festival drew near, bettors moved through the crowd, shouting their final calls.
“Place your final bets quickly!”
“It’s the last chance to bet! The Holy Order’s challengers are up next!”
“Current favorite: Sir Leo of the Holy Order at 1.8 to 1!”
She knew Leo was famous, but she hadn’t realized he was the strongest contender.
It seemed Aaron hadn’t been exaggerating when he said Leo was popular among both his comrades and the citizens.
But then, another familiar name caught her attention.
“In second place, Sir Aaron of the Holy Order at 2.5 to 1!”
Aaron was right behind Leo in the rankings.
“It seems quite a few people are pinning their hopes on you, Aaron.”
Nancy pointed her chin toward the bettors who were shouting their odds.
Aaron, who had already finished his handful of popcorn, dusted off his hands and put his helmet back on.
“It’s just because they don’t know that I was thoroughly defeated by Leo.”
“Ah, you shouldn’t have put the helmet back on… I mean, I believe that it’s not the strongest person who should become the hero, but the one with the right mindset.”
Nancy’s true thoughts suddenly slipped out. Trying to act like she hadn’t said anything unusual, she furrowed her brow and continued.
“They say the hero will receive great power from God, but if someone with ill intentions uses that power to harm others, it would be a disaster.”
“Do you think Leo is a bad person?”
“How would I know? I’ve never met him, so how could I tell if he’s good or bad?”
Nancy looked at Aaron in disbelief.
“Leo is a good person. Probably.”
