After I finished interpreting for Amel-san, we settled the discussion with Lilia-san by agreeing to let their respective representatives handle the formal negotiations at a later date.
After that, I returned home with Amel-san. I had planned to just relax over some tea, but then a certain thought occurred to me.
"Amel-san, about that shop selling the glowing contact lenses you mentioned at the tea party—it’s actually here in the Royal Capital. If you have the time, would you like to head there now?"
"Oh, that would be wonderful. I, the Shining Guidance, have long desired to acquire various new brilliances. If my Sworn Friend does not object, then by all means, lead the way."
"Understood. In that case, let's head—"
I was about to say we should head outside, but I suddenly realized that wasn't necessary. After all, Alice’s General Store was directly accessible via a door in the bar in my basement.
"Actually, I just remembered there's a way to get there directly without going out."
"Is it teleportation?"
"It’s similar, but... my house has a bar in the basement, and there’s a door inside that leads straight to the shop."
"...A bar in the basement?"
"Ah, well..."
I was so used to it that I’d completely forgotten, but even without thinking about it too hard, a private house having a bar in the basement was definitely strange. Amel-san’s reaction was only natural—wait, what?
"A private... basement... bar!?"
She didn't look confused; instead, her face was filled with pure awe.
"T-That’s so cool! I'm so jealous. A private bar at home... I want one too! Ahem! As expected of my Sworn Friend. You have impeccable taste."
"T-Thank you."
Apparently, having a bar at home was something Amel-san found aspirational. Now that she mentioned it, bars did have a certain "cool" factor to them.
However, I suspected that only applied if the person using it actually looked the part. For someone like Ozma-san, for instance, the image of him sipping a drink at a bar would be quite the picture. I wanted to become the kind of mature man who looked good in a bar too, but it felt like I still had a long way to go.
With those thoughts in mind, I led the enthusiastic Amel-san down into the basement.
"...The bar is just through here."
"Sworn Friend, what is this other door?"
"Oh, that? That’s... um... a weapon shop."
"A weapon shop... in your basement!? A-A hidden secret sanctum... That’s incredible! How cool! S-Sworn Friend! If it is permitted, I wish to burn the radiance of those many blades into my very soul!"
Her eyes were sparkling so brightly I thought she might actually fire beams from them at any moment. It felt like she understood that specific kind of "romance" even more than Aoi-san did; the mere concept of a "secret basement weapon shop" had sent her excitement levels through the roof.
Since there was no reason to deny her request, I decided to stop by Alice’s Weapon Shop first. As we stepped inside, the Lion Kigurumi greeted us as usual.
"...A-A shopkeeper with such a mysterious aura. As I suspected, this shop is a legendary hidden realm concealed deep within the earth!"
No, we just walked down a single flight of stairs; it's not exactly deep... Well, whatever.
"Wow, every single one of these weapons is top-tier! It's incredible! This sword looks so cool..."
"...Amel-san?"
"Hah! Ahem... A truly magnificent brilliance, shopkeeper. You are clearly no ordinary merchant."
She had the look of a young boy staring longingly at a trumpet in a shop window. Well, considering her personality, it made sense that she’d love a place like this.
As I watched her, Alice—still in her Lion Kigurumi—crossed her arms and spoke with a strangely heavy, dramatic weight to her voice.
"...It seems you are a young lady of significant potential. Perhaps you might be the one capable of taming this."
"T-This is..."
Speaking in an oddly theatrical tone, Alice pulled a spear with a truly sinister design from behind the counter.
"It bears the name 'Magic Spear Ouroboros'..."
"The Magic Spear... Ouroboros..."
Ah, she’s going to buy it. Amel-san is definitely going to buy that. She absolutely lived for things like "Magic Swords" and "Magic Spears." Her face was currently trembling with pure joy; there was no doubt in my mind she’d take it.
Convinced of this, I shot a quick glare at Alice. It was a look intended to say, "Don't you dare overcharge her." Immediately after, I felt her answer through Sympathy Magic. "Don't worry, I'll sell it at a fair price."
Wait, what? How did she do that? She’s being strangely skillful with her magic again... Well, as long as she isn't ripping her off, I suppose it’s fine. Amel-san was clearly overjoyed, and there was no doubt the weapon's performance would be top-tier.
Serious-senpai: "...Come to think of it, this girl is surprisingly good at keeping up with chuunibyou talk."