He continued to speak. ”Without giving 10% discount on all, that is!!” he said with a hearty laugh as he then went away to work in the staff-only part of the store, leaving the young girls standing there in shock.
Kiayui then put her hand acknowledgingly on Kikyo's shoulder. ”You go girl! I was stunned by this force but it's really amazing that you played the straight girl once Sango!"
“Kiayui! Tha--tat was only the right question, nothing extraordinary,” answered Kikyo.
“Well Sango, you must admit that you are normally more shy with such expression, but I like that in the case that pieces of art get involved you have quite a sharp intuition. So I rely on your advice then,” she said chuckling.
"Now then, lets take a deep breath girls and then let us start with why we are here,” reminded Kohka to the crowd.
“Thats the Kohka!” said Ramiko teasingly.
“Don't start with that nonsense too!” Kohka protested red-faced.
“Sorry, sorry!” Ramiko apologized with exaggerated sheepishness.
So after a while as they calmed down the clique tried several kimonos on during which Kikyo “played” the judge.
“Kikyo, how does this look like? Do i look awkward given my muscles?” asked Kohka embarrassedly.
“Not at all, it fits you perfectly. That strong red color and this cut gives you the style of a Bugeisha. At least, I think so, so don't worry about it Kohka," Kikyo said, gently reassuring her friend.
“And how do I look Sango?” asked Kiayui gleefully.
“That..." the judge stammered. "That's a bit to daring for a festival Kiayui!”
“Aw, come on," Kiayui said, sticking out her lower lip in a girlish pout. "That skirt is long enough and it hugs my figure all in the right places, and beside why don't you also test some of them?”
“Well, I have already something to wear for the festival so due to this I'm a good judge,“ said Kikyo unsurely and slowly.
“Hho~~ then tell me I hope its not plain brown Geisha dress?” said Kiayui provocatively.
“Aeh..” Shortly before Kikyo could answer she is interrupted by Ramiko as she pulled the other girl to herself.
“That will you see in some days so be not so pushy, and beside I am on her side you are, how you're now dressed it seems like you are in for gyakunan Kiyui-san~” she said, matching Kiayui's provocative tone with her own.
“No way. And if so it's my choice. You're just jealous that you can't freely do something like this ~” she stammered defiantly.
“Puuhh," groaned Kikyo as she fell onto a bench a little bit exhausted. "Why does our time together always fall into these quarrels?"
”You look exhausted Miss Adviser? Here, how may be it with a revitalizing tea?” said the owner as he offered cup of tea which Kikyo hesitantly accepted.
“Thanks, but that's not necessary. I should be used to this by now,” she said with a tired smile.
“Dont worry, I won't charge you for the tea. As I know that sometimes a refreshing refuel is necessary so no false modesty. Beside that you must be from a tradition-rich family?”
“Why do you think that?” she asked uncertainly.
”Hmm, your reaction towards the historical objects in the displays as well as your evaluation pattern does suggest that," he explained.
“Oh, okay. I'm from a Shinto Priest family so I am quite versed in old crafts and also in the wearing of kimonos like my Miko dresses,“ Kikyo said as she scratched her face with her fingers.
“I understand,” said the owner as he walked away.
“So here are you again Kikyo? Now we've each chosen one piece and yeah it was a pain to convince Kiayui to a more decent piece, so what do you say?” asked Kauri.
“They look good, and Kauri you look like a Hime! But i wonder if the dress isn't a bit long given that it shambles on the ground and for such a piece that's not so ideal Kauri.”
“Hmm, that is an objection I didn't think of. Actually I must say, that's too bad. The kimono is so beautiful," she said, a bit disappointed.
“Wait, didn't this place have a measurement service?” asked Kiayui loudly in the crowd.
“... So it is” said the owner as he again appeared unnoticed behind Kiayui.
“Kyahh!! Wha..Wha...What are you, a Nina!?” screamed the blonde as she jumped some steps back.
“Something like that, young lady, I would say. But to answer your question, yes we do offer tailoring work,” said the middle aged man as he stroked his mustache.
“So would you want to utilize our service? Nuno! Please come here!” he shouted as a saleswoman came.
“You called, boss?”
”That's our specialist for the tailoring of cuts and measurement changes. Please follow her, she will make the adjustment of the pieces,” he said as he in a bowing position pointed to his employee.
“Alright! I think that this piece could deserve some adjustment!” said the blonde enthusiastically.
“B-b-but don't be too skimpy!” stammered Kikyo.
”Don't worry Kikyo, I am also there. So calm down, I'll make sure that it's not too revealing,” said Kauri as she winked at her.
“So then let's get to the shop counter, but I hope that it's affordable even if given the discount” said Kohka worriedly.
“Don't worry Kohka. If so then I can lend you some money as I have already saved some beforehand. Buuut~" Ramiko drawled out the word playfully, "then could you help me to get in Archery Club again?”
“Oh, great. Then I see myself again managing the new budget allocations and I hate that..." Kohka said with a sweaty tired expression as both went to the cashier's desk.
“You haven't chosen one piece, miss adviser?“ said the owner questioningly, which baffled Kikyo. ”I say, because I like your attitude and judgement I'll give you a very special deal. I offer you any piece in my store completely free... yes, even the objects in the glass displays are included in this offer,” he said challengingly to her as he stretched his arms in a T-form. ”So please choose?”
"I can't accept such an offer it's too much too accept so I'm sorry!!” Kikyo said apologetically as she deeply bowed.
The owner just smiled. ”I had right in my evaluation for you, that's okay," he replied calmly.
“(What, he expected this? Hmm, is he…?)” she thought critically.
“Alright, okay I accept that answer. But that offer is still valid so if you should change your choice feel free to come someday!” he said smiling.
“Okay, I will remember that!” Kikyo said politely, as she went to her friends.
The clique then strolled through the shopping center rather aimlessly and stopped at a takeway store, before splitting the group apart so that Kikyo and Ramiko went together to their homes as they resided in the same district near the temples.
“Fuuh, that was quite exhausting right Sango?”
“Yes, that were quite taxing. But I'm am happy that they chose me as their judge which doesn't happen very often,” Kikyo said with a honestly smiling face.
“Yeah, although you're sometimes awkward you have a righteous heart and soul so we forgive you that quite easily. But on another topic, the owner was quite strange right? What with how he has historical objects in his store which should rather belong more to a museum, right?”
“Do you mean that he could be a Magus, Ramiko? Because i have also felt that he oozes a rather ominous aura and that he appeared without a warning without anyone noticing is quite strange,” Kikyo said as she put her hand on her chin in a thoughtful stance.
“Not excluded, but I wouldn't dig into something like that as you know which the consequence could be?” Ramiko said in a warning voice as she came to her father's market kiosk.
“Hello, you two you look tired but happy. Was the shopping trip successful would I say?” asked Wataru to the two.
“Yes, it was. But before I forget Haha-san asked me to tell you that for the festival we need red apples and Nijiseiki as well as the special flour we need for the banquet, Wataru-san.”
“Ah, right okay. I'll see if I can organize it Kikyo-chan. Especially the Nijiseiki will be difficult but okay. I have some ideas where I can get these from and the flour is already in the warehouse available so it's quite easy. But as compensation I have to have a part of the delicacies," he said smiling and with a pinched eye.
“So sorry that I have to go now but the way home is quite long so...?” Kikyo trailed off.
“Okay Kikyo, goodbye. Please take care of yourself and thanks for today!” said Wataru to Kikyo.
As she went back up the hill holding her hand on a wooden railing on the path she suddenly felt a little impulse on her hand. "Ow!" She pulled her hand back, instinctively crying out in pain. "...What was that? Hm, that felt like a pulse of Thaumaturgy but it could also be just an electrostatic shock so…" she thought as she continued her way to her house.
As at the same time a bloody fight was going on in the Tomino Woods of the Oshamambe prefecture. The trees were broken and the Servant as well the man in the trenchcoat were opposed by seven Executors and three Enforcers. ”Ragna Hrolfkyr!" One of the Enforcers raised his voice. "This is the end for you! You will not continue your heretic path, you have caused enough havoc already!”
Ragna then replied “Why do you say this?" "I'm just trying to restore the former strength that the Magic had,“ he explained as he continued. "I act only out of my obligation as a Magus to restore the power of my ancestors and to continue their legacies...” he said, voice tightening in anger.
“You have at one time risked that Magecraft be revealed to the public and caused an evil spirit outbreak at a Siberian village which costed nearly a thousand lives on your 'duty',” said the enforcer.
“I guess it means that we can't get to an agreement huh? Can't be helped then. Okay, but I hope you keep in mind that I am strong and we are in a wood where I'm much more powerful... Great Forests…” Ragna said acceptingly as he started to chant a spell but he was interrupted by another Enforcer.
"That will not take grasp. I have placed four Teppeki Fuin Pillars at the corners of the wood that not only will keep bystanders from entering respectively noticing what occurs here but also nullify the territory control of your Druidism so you will not be able to to use your main weapon. And we have also gathered all in the region stationed Executers,” explained the Enforcer.
“Hahaha!" Delicious, you really think that Druidism is the only thing I'm capable of? You will see that I'm much more than that,” Ragna said confidently as he threw away his trenchcoat to reveal a medieval looking leather armor like costume. Then he drew out his sword and wrote some Runes which took on the form of thunderbolts that he directed to the opponents. But they managed to evade a hit.
“Go, Servant! I will take on the Mages, you take care of the Executors!” he shouted at the Servant.
“Okay~” said the woman, chuckling as she drew a sword and rushed ahead so that she clashed against the six Executors. Simultaneously on the other side Ragna fought against the three Enforcers and the seventh Executor.
Ragna used his sword- a European broadsaber- to clash against the Black-Keys that the Executor threw at him, as well as deflect the spells he was attacked with. Behind him an Enforcer surprised Ragna and managed to inflict a cut on his shoulder. Ragna jumped back in time to evade the brunt of the slash but fell on his knees. ”What, that knife was poisoned!? Damn it, my body isn't reacting..” he said as his voice gave out.
Then rushed the Enforcer to the criminal to finish him off as “Hah!” Ragna then slashed after the rushing Enforcer who narrowly avoided being decapitated but suffered a deep blade wound on his Thorax. ”Urgm!" The Mage vomits blood as he breathed deeply in pain. ”Why ha..cn you move your body? You should be on the verge of total muscle shut off?!”
“You're admittedly not incompetent and you have potential, but you're clearly inexperienced in the field boy. It's a shame but would you want to become my apprentice?” commented the Heretic.
“Never! I get your intention but even if that's my end I won't beg for my life, as I cant forgive a criminal who killed several innocents! Kakeharg!” answered the wounded Mage as he coughed even more blood out.
“Eko!" the Executor screamed out his fallen friend's name. He turned toward Ragna, glaring with righteous fury. "You're a devil! I will slay you devil, right before my friend's eyes!" With those words he rushed hatefully at the criminal.
“Naive!” said Ragna as he strengthened his right fist with Runes and punched the storming Executor. The Executor couldn't react in time and Ragna's fist slammed into his thorax with sickening force, breaking at least several ribs and also cracking his thorax as he flew several meters and then smashed into the ground.
On the other front the Executors had a hard time with the Servant. As their attacks were rather easily repelled by the Servant who defended herself with a sword and by creating wind veils.
“She's strong," said one Executor to the others.
”You're right, she is a much more of a challenge then an average Dead Apostle,” replied a second.
She reacted by giggling. “Well I'm a Servant after all. Mister Ragna… may I be allowed to feed on some of their souls?"
“Help yourself Servant, I'll clean the mess around here,” answered the Heretic coldly.
As then the Servant's stance changed from a quite normal loose stance to a more feral pose as she kicked her lips out of sadistic glee. ”Now, my handsome foes, which of you want to serve me something first?”
One Executor thought pensively, “What did Risei Kotomine say again, that there exist seven different Classes of Servant? Which could she belong to?” as he then shouted provocatively “Who are you actually!? I hear ever only Servant but which one are you? What is your name?!”
“Oh right. It's impolite to not introduce himself to your 'prey' right?” she said. “Okay, my name is As..”
"Stop immediately Servant!!” screamed Ragna at her. As he finished of the injured Enforcer, then the Servant started her killing spree in which she indulged herself.
Ragna fell to his knees. “What, I thought the poison is already neutralized? So why this pain and numbness?.......Is it a sort of last resort curse from this boy?”
As the Servant noticed that she aborted her spree and rushed to him which saved two Executors from sharing the fate of their comrades.
As the last remaining Enforcer saw the rushing Servant he flew from the scene as she come down beside Ragna. “Come, bite me here,” she said as she freed part of her shoulder from her dress. He then bit her lightly as she also bit him on the neck. Then she glowed a little bit as greenish sparks came out of the bitemark from her body. This healed Ragna as she sucked the poison out of his body which rejuvenated him completely. She then stood up and held out her open hand, which glowed and tendril-like shapes manifested as Ragna grabbed her hand.
”That is enough, we have fulfilled our part. Although the poison wasn't included in the plan…”
She took back the attack and said dissatisfied, ”Too bad, but I have here some meal.“
“Alright, you can be relaxed partner," said Ragna as he sheathed his sword and put on his trenchcoat.
As the Servant disposed the remnants of their enemies Ragna went to a little puddle and knelt down. He waved his hand over it and the image of his partner appeared as a reflection. ”So I have my part fulfilled for the time being, now it's your turn," he said.
“Okay mister Ragna,” said the man in the reflection. ”Now that it's my turn I will clean that eyesore and thanks to your actions I can travel undisturbed."
“Great now [ ] go to him. There you can play a little bit more!” he said to her.
“Hai~~” said the Servant playfully as she asked “What are you going to do now mister Ragna?” in a charming way.
“Not much as we have now to wait until the chosen ones appear, but I will make some preparations at our workshop,” said the Mage to the Servant.
“Noble Shaman, I wish you good success in your revenge tour. But please pay attention if some other chosen ones appear and remember to not draw more attention than necessary!” said Ragna in an serious tone.
“I will beheart your advise Mister Ragna,“ said the Shaman as Ragna stepped on the puddle which let the reflection vanish as he then departed northward.