Chapter 37: Both a Saint and a Knight.
“The Photosynthetic Leaf faction? I’m not part of that group… Well, I’m just a low-ranking saintess.”
As Suna responded to Penny, Jenny smiled and pushed the conversation forward.
“Really? Sounds like you’re joking, Saintess. So, what do you think of this priestess robe? Satisfied?”
Suna assessed it earnestly.
“It does change my vibe, but it feels off. Maybe I can’t pull off this style, or it just doesn’t suit me.”
Clearly, Suna’s current frame couldn’t handle the flamboyant priestess robe.
Penny chimed in, agreeing.
“It does feel a bit odd. This bold style might be hard for you to carry off now. Maybe when you’re older…”
Before she finished, Jenny covered her mouth, interrupting, and used magic to lift another robe.
“Sorry, Saintess, let’s try this one.”
After trying a few more, Suna picked an unusual “priestess robe.”
“Uh, it suits you, Saintess, but is this okay?” Jenny asked.
“It completely changes your aura, but this one’s never been popular with saintesses,” Penny added, both muttering with subtle concern.
Suna, however, was pleased.
“I like it. I’m a latecomer saintess, after all. It’s just the right weight and doesn’t restrict movement.”
Her chosen outfit was a hybrid of a priestess robe and light knight armor.
A thick white priestess gown formed the base, paired with a chestplate and skirt armor secured by belts.
Her gloves were lightweight gauntlets with flexible metal plates.
The gown and armor bore engraved Golden Bough and Corona Flower patterns with defensive magic.
In short, Suna looked like a holy knight ready for battle.
Donning a winged helmet to conceal her face, she remembered a problem: her cash was low.
Though unpopular, the robe’s craftsmanship, materials, and enchantments were top-notch, likely pricier than some shoddy enchanted full armor.
Loving the outfit, she cautiously asked the store manager in a white suit as she left the changing room.
“Uh, Manager, do you accept items in place of gold? I’m a bit short on cash.”
Her tone was steady but tinged with embarrassment. The manager’s reply eased her.
“Of course. Saintesses often pay with holy enchanted items or healing holy water. But items are slightly discounted, as we’re not an auction house. Hope you understand.”
“I do,” Suna nodded.
She considered using her blessing to create golden raindrops.
She’d tried selling them before, but they lost potency without her magic, vanishing within half a day.
By infusing them into her healing potions, she extended their shelf life, though her novice skills reduced their efficacy to a tenth or twentieth of the original.
[Those enhanced potions are just better healing potions—not enough to pay for this… Oh, right, I have a large Corona Flower branch in my storage. Maybe that’ll fetch a good price.]
Switching her payment plan, Suna pulled the branch from her bag.
“Manager, can this cover it? If not, I have some potions…”
Seeing the Corona Flower branch, the manager froze, then spoke urgently, as if afraid she’d retract it.
“Absolutely. Please use this. We’ll throw in two extra priestess robes and three free clothing repairs.”
Suna blinked, stunned by his rapid offer.
“Huh?”
The manager’s kind smile twisted with barely contained excitement, his eyes burning with enthusiasm.
“Uh, Manager, are you sure? Won’t you lose money?”
He shook his head, joking, “Saintess, I’m the manager of this clothing store. I don’t make losing deals. Honestly, you should agree quickly—Jenny and Penny are about to pounce.”
Suna noticed the two fairy shop assistants, their eyes gleaming, faint fairy wings shimmering behind them.
Like fairies spotting a treasure, they were only held back by the ongoing transaction.
“Alright, the branch it is.”
Stepping back, Suna used water magic to float the branch to the manager, wary of the eager fairies.
She knew how clingy fairies could be with beloved items and wanted no part of that.
The manager stored the branch in his ring, and Jenny and Penny lowered their heads in disappointment at its disappearance.