273: A Battle Outfit
Since my date with Liz was set, I began to prepare. In addition to deciding on a date, there were other important things to do. Like what to wear.
“Hey, Liz. I want to buy a nice outfit for our date. Will you go to town with me?”
“…Wait, that’s not the date?”
“No, it’s not. Mainly because of the level of effort.” I nodded at Liz.
“I understand that, but I’m sorry, Master, please wear your usual outfit.”
“Even on a date?”
“It’s not that kind of a date, and besides, I can’t allow you to wear anything that would lower your already low defenses.”
“I’m a little concerned about the first part, but I understand…”
I had thought I could enjoy the pleasure of choosing clothes for the first time in a while, in addition to getting ready for our date.
But there was still the pleasure of choosing clothes.
In fact, this was the main event.
“Then, I want to buy a nice outfit for our date. Will you go to town with me?”
“Didn’t we just finish that conversation?”
“No. A nice outfit for Liz.”
“…Excuse me?”
“I was thinking of getting a cute outfit for you.”
“I’ll be wearing my own clothes.”
“You have your own clothes?”
“I have some for everyday activities. You know, I wore them when you celebrated my birthday.”
“That’s not your own clothes. And besides, that was just your maid uniform without the apron, and with a jacket.”
“Isn’t that enough…?”
“No. I’ll prove it to you. Let’s go to Elisha-san’s shop.”
“Well… alright… but please bring other guards besides me.”
“Yes, let’s all go for a walk.”
And so, we visited Elisha-san’s shop again, after closing time.
“I know this is for your private use, but thank you for your time after closing.”
Elisha-san’s ears twitched, and her honey-colored hair swayed.
“Not at all! I’m happy to dress a cute girl in cute clothes!”
A good smile. Elisha-san was consistent.
“So, what can I do for you today?”
“Actually, I’d like to ask you to make a date outfit.”
“Oh? A date between two girls?”
Elisha-san’s eyes sparkled.
“I’m honored that you’ve chosen my shop to dress your date in cute clothes.”
“Um, isn’t it possible that the date is with a man?”
“That’s unlikely. And in that case, you wouldn’t have come to my shop.”
Elisha-san’s shop only sold women’s clothing. With that in mind, Liz retorted.
“No, Master… the Lord of Disease… might be the one wearing it.”
“To take that off would be a crime!” Elisha-san clenched her fist and declared.
“Huh?”
“As I said before, the Lord of Disease’s attire is a work of art and love! It’s a battle outfit that she should wear on a date! To make clothes for the one who made that outfit… my hands are itching. Do you have any requests, Lizlit-sama?”
Liz’s expression was one of exasperation.
“No, why are you so sure the date is with me, Elisha-san…?”
“…Wait… it’s not?”
Liz’s words, and Elisha-san’s face fell, her light brown eyes filled with despair, and she looked at me pleadingly.
“No, that’s not it. The date is with Liz.”
“That’s right! For a moment, I thought the laws of the universe had been broken. Don’t scare me like that.” Elisha-san breathed a sigh of relief.
“What are you talking about?”
“Well… the Lord of Disease loves Lizlit-sama, doesn’t she?”
“Wait, no. Rebecca, and…”
“I’m sure she cares for Rebecca-sama, too… but no, it’s fine. It’s not my place to meddle in other people’s love lives.” Elisha-san nodded sagely.
“By the way, what’s your budget?”
“Unlimited.”
“Wait, Master!” I had answered immediately, and Liz protested.
“I’m sorry, Liz. Unlimited was a bit of an exaggeration.”
“You understand?”
I turned to Elisha-san again.
“As long as it’s within a hundred gold coins, you can do whatever you want.”
“Wow, you’re really splurging. But I’ll take it at a reasonable price. With the high-end line in mind, of course.”
“Of course.”
Liz interjected as we nodded at each other.
“No, wait! I’m relieved that Elisha-san is being sensible, but how much are you planning to spend on a single outfit?!”
“You see, Liz.”
“Yes.”
“I love you, Liz.”
“…Yes.”
“And I think you’re the cutest girl in the world.”
“…Y-yes.”
“And a cute girl should wear cute clothes.”
“Hah… as expected of the Lord of Disease… your words resonate with my heart…” Elisha-san sighed.
“N-no. I was trying to point out your strange sense of money.”
“Liz. …I have a lot of different kinds of money in my wallet.”
“…Master?”
“There are allies who have died for me, and I know… what I’m called.”
A heartless monster.
The enemy of humanity.
I had created a hell on earth.
“But I, and my subordinates… the Demon King’s army, exists to protect all of this country.”
“—Yes.” Liz’s expression hardened, and she nodded firmly.
“So, if I don’t spend money on clothes for a cute girl…”
“No, that’s where the conversation jumped.” Liz’s expression was a mask, and she shook her head.
“…I understand.”
“Elisha-san?”
“…I love cute girls. And I love cute clothes.”
“…Hah.” Liz nodded, her expression one of disinterest.
“But this country… is at war.” Elisha-san’s cat ears drooped.
“Clothes, especially cute clothes, are not necessary to win a war… some of my customers say that.”
Liz’s expression changed.
“I can’t say that’s not true…”
“…Yes. I know…”
“But that’s what we’re fighting for. For a world where the standard of value is not ‘to win a war.’”
“…Yes.” Elisha-san’s cat ears perked up.
“—So, what kind of an outfit shall we make?”
“Huh?” The accelerator had been pressed, in an instant. But I, too, pressed the accelerator. And we put our heads together and began our consultation.
“A cute style…”
“Layered…”
“As easy to move in as possible…”
“Not too tight…”
“Fluffy…”
“Flowy…”
“I’m not sure about the color or the fabric…”
“Please leave it to me…”
“As expected of Elisha-san…”
“No, no, I’m a professional…”
For some reason, we both had a wicked smile on our faces. The image in my head was of me saying, “Elisha-ya, you’re a bad one,” and Elisha-san saying, “No, no, not as bad as the Lord of Disease…” Though I was the one who was supposed to be giving her the bribe.
“Rebecca, I have a bad feeling about this.”
At Liz’s words, which she had overheard from our consultation, Rebecca, Samarkand, and Harken all exchanged a look. And they all spoke to Liz, one by one, their voices gentle.
“You must be strong.”
“You must be strong.”
“You must be strong.”
My subordinates were so close.
