I had heard stories about fake adventurers: people who claimed to be mages or healers but actually had no magic at all. Some were failed apprentices who had started magic training but never mastered it. Others were just frauds lying about their abilities so they could coast through battles while hiding behind everyone else. Fake adventurers would trick others into forming a party with them, only to be immediately exposed and kicked out. But somehow, this kind of deception never stopped happening.
At the very least, Yune seemed to be the real deal. Just as she had claimed, she could use healing magic. She chanted a spell, then a soft glow enveloped Liluetta’s foot and closed the wound with an almost ethereal beauty.
Granted, all she was healing was a blister.
“I think you just need proper traveler’s shoes,” I said.
After fixing Liluetta’s shoe-related injury, we immediately returned to town. There was no way we could continue like this. She had only made it a few steps outside the gates before her foot started hurting, so there was zero chance she would last the entire journey. We had no choice but to go back.
We headed straight for the armorer’s. Since it sold adventurer supplies, I figured they would have decent boots. But by the time we got there, the sun was already way higher in the sky than I wanted it to be. And worse, even the supposedly well-stocked armorer’s shop didn’t carry any shoes in Liluetta’s size. That was the moment I gave up on today’s adventure. Even if we did find new shoes for her, it would be too late to get any meaningful herb gathering done.
“Adventuring, even outside of herb gathering, involves a lot of walking,” I explained. “You’ll want soft leather boots that fit well and don’t pinch your feet. And make sure the soles are thick enough to protect against sharp rocks.”
The soles were especially important. It wasn’t just about protection—shoes without proper soles made you tired faster and your feet sore too. That would wear you down over long distances. The best shoemaker back in the village had always said that.
Liluetta sighed. “So we just need to buy normal shoes from a shoe store.”
“Exactly,” I agreed. “The armorer recommended a good store just off the main street. Let’s check there.”
“I hope they have something nice,” Yune said with a smile.
The three of us made our way through town. Since I was still new here, everything other than the main road felt unfamiliar. I kept my eyes peeled, making sure I didn’t miss the shop we were looking for.
“Are there no special shoes made specifically for adventurers?” Liluetta asked.
Her question made me pause to think. Special adventurer shoes?
“Some vanguard fighters wear greaves, metal plating that covers the shins and toes. The shop we just visited had some of those. But since you’re a rear-guard mage, I don’t think you need anything that extreme.” I glanced at my own feet. I was supposed to be a frontline fighter, but I didn’t have greaves. Because, well, I had no money.
“I see...” Liluetta lowered her gaze, looking uncomfortable.
I tilted my head in confusion. Why is she making that face?
Yune leaned over and whispered, “If there were special shoes for adventurers, then it would make sense why she didn’t wear normal walking shoes. That way, it wouldn’t seem like her fault.”
Liluetta shot her a glare. “I can hear you, Yune.”
Yune had tried to whisper, but her voice carried way too well. She clamped a hand over her mouth as she realized her mistake. This girl was a bit absent-minded.
But now that I thought about it, I had just assumed Liluetta needed new shoes. Shouldn’t she already own a decent pair for walking? If we weren’t going back out there today, was there really a point in buying new ones right now? That was a mistake on my part. I should’ve asked before heading toward the store.
I turned to her. “If you already have proper walking shoes at home, there’s no need to buy new ones right now, is there?”
“Huh? Ah, no, I’ll just buy some as long as we’re here,” she said. “I don’t really have anything sturdy enough.”
Well, that works out, I guess.
“Oh, oh!” Yune pointed ahead. “That must be the recommended shoe shop!”
We had found what the armorer had told us about, and the three of us stepped inside.
The place smelled strongly of leather. It was dimly lit, small, and packed tightly with rows of shoes. There wasn’t much space, but since they only sold shoes, they had a wide variety on display. This meant there was a good chance we’d find something that would fit Liluetta.
“Hmm, these all seem practical,” she said.
She was right. Most of the shoes here looked like they were made for durability and ease of movement. No wonder the armorer had recommended this place. It was exactly the kind of store where you could find reliable, adventure-ready footwear. I even spotted some waterproof boots made from monster materials. Curious, I picked up a pair, then put them back as soon as I saw the price. Nope. Way too expensive.
At the back of the shop, an old man was hammering leather into shape with a wooden mallet. He must’ve been the owner. Was he making new shoes or repairing old ones? He glanced at us for a moment but said nothing before returning to his work.
So we were free to browse as we pleased. He reminded me of a grumpy old man from my village.
“Hmm, which ones should I choose?” Liluetta wondered.
“Let’s just pick a few that seem like a good fit and try them on,” I suggested.
Yune turned toward the old man. “Excuse me! May we try on some of these shoes?”
The old man briefly looked up at us. Then, with a simple nod, he returned to his work. No words, just an acknowledgment. I guess that means we have permission.
Yune, undeterred by the shopkeeper’s silence, handed Liluetta a random pair. “See, my lady? When it comes to shoes, the most important thing is comfort!” But Liluetta still looked hesitant.
“There are a lot of choices, but since your feet are small, your options are limited,” I added. “Might as well try on everything that looks like it might fit.”
I glanced at the shelves again. Most of the selection was for adults, but there were still plenty of smaller shoes. With this many, at least one pair had to work for her. Back in my village, we broke in our shoes until they fit. Here in town, you picked shoes that already fit well. That was new to me.
“No specific recommendations?” Liluetta asked, tilting her head.
I thought for a moment. “Anything in this shop should be fine. Just pick whatever you like best.”
For some reason, that made her frown. “I thought you were guiding us because you know the best choices.”
“Huh? You mean, for adventuring?”
“Yes.”
I blinked. “No, not really. I already told you. Anything that meets the basic criteria I mentioned earlier should work.”
I wasn’t sure what Liluetta expected from me. I didn’t know much about picking the “best” shoes. If she had tried to grab something that wasn’t good for long walks, I would’ve stopped her. But everything in this shop seemed functional. As far as I was concerned, any of them should work just fine.
“I see. You’re right, shoes are just shoes.” Liluetta bit her lip as she accepted the pair Yune had handed her. Then she removed her wooden clogs. But before putting on the new shoes, she glared at me. “Just you wait. Today was a failure, but tomorrow, we are going on an adventure!” Her cherry-red hair rustled as she angrily shoved her foot into the soft leather shoe.
It didn’t fit.
She immediately kicked it off and reached for another pair.