[NW] I am The Black Tea Specialist Cheat of The Chivalric Order! - Chapter 19 - Processing the Measuring Stones.

“We should have discussed this earlier…”

As soon as we left the church and started walking, Mr. Frey said in a voice full of regret.

We left our horses at the church and proceded on foot

"I also knew vaguely that I needed a job title, but I didn't remember it, so I am at fault too, Frey-san. Rather, the priest might be a bit short-tempered..."

Just one minute. If only he had given me more time.

I could have requested to be called something more fitting, like Tea Artisan, or a variation of Apothecary.

Ahhhh.

I sighed deeply, but there was no turning back now.

"Well, being a Tea Master sounds a bit unusual and cute, don't you think?"

Was there something in the tone that made it sound cute?

I knew it was clearly meant as consolation, but I couldn't brush off that gentle sentiment. So, I just agreed with a forced smile and said, "Hahaha, you're right."

"By the way, what's the best way to carry the crystal?"

"If possible, it would be best to wear it around your neck so that you don't lose it."

"It might be better for a girl that way. Come this way."

Frey guided me to a shop located just one street away. The shop was filled with decorative items and lacked expensive jewelry. There were many cute designs without gemstones that even a town girl like me could afford. Brass necklaces, silver pendants, and hair accessories were displayed on wooden shelves or hanging from hooks.

"Sorry, I would like to request a customization," Frey said as he confidently called out to the shopkeeper who was at the back.

The shopkeeper, an uncle with a stubble beard and glasses, widened his eyes as he looked at Frey.

"What's wrong? You came all the way to the shop. If you had called, I would have come over."

"I had some business to attend to with a girl today, so I thought it wouldn't be a problem to come to the shop normally."

I figured it out from their conversation.

I see.

If a knight like Frey didn't have a reason to come to this cute shop for a customization, they must have always called for the service.

...I thought Frey was introducing me to a popular shop for girls. I misunderstood. I silently apologized in my mind, and Frey noticed my gaze and looked puzzled.

"Is something the matter?"

"No, I was just reflecting on the darkness in my own heart. Um, I would like this crystal to be made into a pendant that can be hung from a chain."

When I stepped forward and made the request, the shopkeeper received the crystal and examined it before nodding.

"Would this chain be suitable?"

He offered a thin chain made of brass. It matched the color of the crystal and looked good, so I nodded.

"How much will it cost?"

Hoping it wouldn't be too expensive, I was about to ask when Frey tapped my shoulder.

"Don't worry about that, Yura-san. Since this was made for the Order, I'll pay for it."

"Ah, thank you."

If Frey were paying out of his own pocket, I would have declined, but since it was going to be paid from the Order's treasury, I accepted graciously.

Without delay, the shopkeeper started working. He drilled a hole in the crystal, attached the fittings, and then threaded the chain through it, completing it quickly.

"Here you go, it's 1,000 sol."

By the way, the value of sol is similar to the currency in my previous life, yen.

So, the cost of the processing and the chain was covered by the 1,000 yen.

I'm grateful for your help. If I have any more requests, I'll let you know.

After giving two copper coins to the shopkeeper, along with Frey, I left the store.

We retrieved the horse that had been entrusted to the church and mounted it to return to the Knight Order's castle. It was quite a distance from the outer walls of the castle to the residence, passing through the interior.

Upon entering the castle's premises, which included training grounds for the knights and fields in case of emergencies, I realized the space occupied by the knights was substantial, and simply walking through it took time.

Beyond that, there was a castle enclosed by walls.

Frey guided me towards the commander's office as I needed to complete the procedures for joining the Knight Order as a hunter.

Many Knight Order members were coming and going. It was still not evening, so it was natural to encounter unfamiliar faces who didn't visit Orve-sensei. They were all men taller than me, and although I knew it was to be expected in such a place, it still made me uneasy.

I had heard that there were female knights as well. In the game, the player could change to that role after completing certain scenarios, but they seemed to be quite rare. Perhaps in a somewhat realistic world, wielding a sword requires strength, and women naturally endowed with such strength are uncommon.

Suddenly, I felt a sense of discomfort.

Something was off, but the specific point eluded my thoughts. It felt as if my way of thinking as "Yura," who had grown up in this world, was obstructing my ability to grasp it.

But more than that, I was preoccupied with the fear of being stared at by groups of passing knights.

After recalling my memories from my past life, I had surprisingly become less afraid of others. However, being scrutinized by a group still made me extremely anxious.

Well, my previous self might have been afraid in the same situation too. If everyone passing by turned to look at me, I would start to worry if I looked strange or if something was wrong with my face today. And then I would overhear whispers...

"Could it be that she's leaving the castle?"

"And she came to greet the commander? We've had similar situations before, right?"

"But still... She has never come here before, right? I don't think she's the type to leave a lasting impression... She seems to understand her position."

Huh? Are they talking about me leaving?

But that's not the case... I was surprised and disappointed. However, I felt a bit relieved when I realized that it wasn't true.

Frey probably overheard the whispered conversation as well.

"Come to think of it, you haven't really been out and about much, have you?"

"It's scary, you know? These are unfamiliar places. Besides, Orve-sensei also warned me. And after the battle with the monsters, I approached someone who seemed agitated, and they pushed me away..."

I didn't want to get injured, so self-defense was necessary. After hearing my explanation, Frey nodded in understanding.

With that, we arrived at the commander's office.