Chapter 9
"Um... was it really okay? You bought me so many clothes..."
After finishing their clothing selection and leaving the store, Reina spoke with a deeply apologetic look.
Reina really was a girl after all.
She had looked so happy trying on clothes, but when it came time to actually buy them, she became hesitant.
When Clael bought her a few outfits, she immediately shrank back with a guilty expression.
"It's fine. All of them looked great on you, Reina."
"But, but... even underwear... It's not even something anyone can see, so I didn't really need that..."
"Please let me buy it. I insist."
It's only natural to be considerate if the girl you're living with is going commando.
It wasn't a problem that could be brushed off just because she was a child.
"Besides... the shopkeeper was very kind. Budget-wise, there's no issue at all."
The muscular, bearded cross-dressing shopkeeper—apparently named Oratorio—had given them a considerable discount.
'Gotta give a little service to cute kids with a bright future♡'
His wink had been unsettling, but... appearances aside, he seemed to be a genuinely good person.
He had a good reputation in the neighborhood too, so Clael decided to use that shop again in the future if needed.
"Next is shopping for daily necessities."
They could use the dishes and towels already at the shrine, but things like toothbrushes, handkerchiefs, bags, and writing tools were necessary.
"There's a general store over there, so let's go."
"Okay..."
Taking Reina with him, they visited a fairly large general store facing the street.
It was the same place where Clael had bought his own daily necessities when he was first assigned to this town.
"Welcome—"
They gave a slight nod to the unenthusiastic clerk and entered the store.
"Alright, let's buy what we need. If there's anything you want, just let me know."
"O-okay..."
Despite saying that, Reina never once asked for anything herself.
With no other choice... Clael began putting the necessary items into the shopping basket.
"Ah..."
"Hm?"
Suddenly, Reina let out a small sound.
When he turned around at the faint voice... Reina was staring at a stuffed animal on the shelf.
It was a black cat plushie.
It was big enough for a child to hug, and its golden eyes, shining like a full moon amidst the black fur, caught the eye.
"............"
Reina stared intently at the plushie, her eyes full of longing.
Without a word, Clael picked up the plushie and placed it in the basket.
"Ah..."
"Let's get this too."
"N-no... it's okay! I-I wasn't asking for it or anything...!"
"Don't hold back. I'm only buying it because it's necessary."
Clael quickly thought up a suitable excuse.
"Stuffed animals are guardian spirits for children. When something bad happens, they take the hit for you, or they eat bad dreams. So, households with children need to buy dolls for protection, you know?"
"R-really...? Now that you mention it, my mom bought me a doll when she was still alive..."
That doll had probably been thrown away by that abusive parent as well.
Clael lightly patted Reina on the head and then carried the basket to the clerk.
"Ah..."
"Is there anything else you want?"
"N-no... I'm okay..."
"Alright, let's hurry and head back. Mrs. Lottel is waiting for us."
"............Okay."
Seeing Reina's apologetic... yet happy face, Clael became certain that his actions had been the right ones.
〇 〇 〇
Clothes, daily goods, a stuffed animal... buying all those things had turned into quite a load.
However, despite being a priest, Clael was confident in his physical strength.
Since Holy Magic could temporarily boost strength and stamina, he had no trouble carrying the load back to the shrine.
"Oh, welcome back."
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Mrs. Lottel."
On their way back to the shrine, Mrs. Lottel was standing on the road in front of her house.
"No, no. I was just sweeping in front of the house. Would you like a haircut now?"
"Would you mind, Reina?"
"Ah, yes. Please take care of me..."
"Alright. This way, please."
Led by Mrs. Lottel, Reina entered her house.
Clael took the bags from Reina and carried them into the shrine.
"Yo, delinquent priest. Back from shopping?"
"Hm...?"
Just as he opened the shrine door, someone called out from behind.
When he turned around... a young man in armor, likely a town gendarme, was standing there.
"...You again."
"You again? That's no way to greet an old friend."
The one who appeared was Roywood Belen, a friend who worked as a gendarme in this town.
He was the third son of the Belen Count family and had been Clael's classmate at the academy in the royal capital.
After graduating, Roywood had joined the military and had been assigned to this town as a gendarme.
Being a noble academy graduate gave him a career advantage, and he had been appointed squad leader despite being newly assigned.
"What do you want? As you can see, I've got unpacking to do."
Clael spoke in a tone far rougher than what one would expect from a priest.
Roywood was a close friend, and they had no need for formalities between them.
"It's nothing serious. I just heard a rumor that you've been walking around with a kid. Thought maybe you'd awakened to being a lolicon, so I came to check on you."
"Mind your own business. I had my reasons—just rescued a girl who was being abused by her toxic parent."
"Abused?"
Roywood frowned.
Hearing such disturbing words, he spat them out in disgust.
"That's not something to take lightly. Parents who abuse their kids make me want to punch them in the face."
Though Roywood was from a count's family... being the third son, he had often been treated poorly.
He seemed to have strong feelings about parents who mistreated children, and his face twisted with hatred.
Seeing that expression on his friend's face, Clael muttered quietly.
"...Maybe this is actually a good thing."
"Huh? What is?"
"Well... there's something I'd like you to look into about that girl."
Running into Roywood here had been unexpected... but in a way, it was convenient.
Clael decided to push onto Roywood something he'd been meaning to investigate for a while.
"I want you to investigate the Auster Trading Company. That company... might be involved in illegal drug trafficking."
"............!"
At Clael's words, Roywood's eyes widened.
The Auster Trading Company... the blade of justice was about to be turned on the toxic parent who had tormented Reina.