Chapter 61: Falx

There were still other essentials Zayn needed to buy, a toothbrush among them, but he decided to fulfill his promise first.

Magnus’s curious gaze shifted to the girl beside him.

"Who’s the pretty lass at yer side, Zayn?"

Zayn looked down at Jade’s hand clasped in his. The small gesture seemed to have breathed life back into her. She kept her gaze averted, the tips of her ears flushed red.

A faint smile touched Zayn’s lips at the sheer normalcy of her reaction.

"Her name’s Jade."

Magnus greeted her with a broad grin.

"Ay. Nice to meet’cha, Jade."

Jade remained turned away, oblivious to the exchange. Zayn glanced at her, then explained:

"She can’t hear."

Magnus’s expression softened, his voice dropping into a quiet rasp.

"How sad."

Zayn lightly shook his head, his faint smile lingering.

"It’s nothing to be pitied. Deafness defines only a small part of someone."

’There’s much more to someone than a disability...’

As his thoughts drifted toward the past, Zayn turned back to Jade.

He released her hand, tapped her shoulder, and pointed toward Magnus.

When Jade finally noticed the burly man with shaggy blond hair standing before them, she stiffened and hurriedly signed:

«Hello! I’m Jade!»

Magnus tilted his head, his brow furrowing as he watched her hands move.

’It seems he can’t understand.’

Zayn gestured toward her moving hands.

"She’s saying hello."

Understanding dawned on Magnus’s face, and he gave a short nod.

"Ay."

Zayn turned back to Jade and relayed Magnus’s earlier greeting before introducing him by name. Her uncertainty eased into a smile.

With the introduction settled, Zayn glanced around the weapon shop, noting they were the only customers inside.

He turned back to Magnus.

"If you don’t mind, I have a few questions for you. Of course, I’ll buy something first this time. I even brought a second patron."

Zayn drew out the pouch containing his remaining twenty silver. He added after a slight pause:

"To that end, what’s the best sword I can afford for under ten silver?"

Magnus peered inside the pouch, his brows rising when he realized Zayn’s limit amounted to half of everything he had.

"Oh, hoh? Takin’ it seriously?"

"Naturally... you said it yourself. I’d rather have something that won’t fail me in the midst of battle."

Magnus let out a hearty laugh.

"Ay, but you must also find something you won’t fail in battle."

Zayn didn’t entirely understand that particular piece of Magnus’s sophistry, but decided to laugh quietly and nod as if he did.

Turning to Jade, Zayn signed,

«How much are you willing to spend?»

«I only have 7 silver and 50 copper left.»

Zayn stared at her blankly for a moment, then asked:

«Where did it all go?»

Jade tugged at her comfortable new white shirt and corduroy pants before answering:

«Creating the guild was expensive. We split the cost evenly. I also bought clothes, necessities, and this.»

She pulled a notepad and what appeared to be a writing utensil from her pocket.

Writing didn’t seem to be translated — Zayn could make out only a few common English words on the front page — but anyone who knew English could now bypass the sign language barrier. Within their current group, that meant only Julia and Amaya, though it still offered Jade a useful bridge for communication.

Zayn’s eyes narrowed.

’But seriously... that notepad looks like it was made in the modern day.’

Watching their silent exchange, Magnus chuckled.

"I’m feelin’ a bit left out, hehe."

’Oh, right.’

Zayn signed as fast as he could:

«So, how much?»

«Half.»

Half came to 3 silver and 75 copper.

Zayn faced Magnus again.

"Her budget is 5 silver."

"Ay. Can I see yer hands?"

’Uh...’

Zayn was a bit skeptical, but held out his hands nonetheless.

Magnus caught him by the wrist and tugged him closer, then pried open his palm one finger at a time and studied the calluses.

’What the—’

Caught off guard, Zayn nonetheless allowed the inspection.

Jade flinched at the sudden movement, an odd yelp escaping her as Magnus pulled Zayn closer.

"Hmm... Ye haven’t been wieldin’ a sword fer long, have ye? Still, ye must be a natural. Yer calluses are new, yet they show signs of perfect balance and harmony with a blade. Strange as it sounds, though, it seems ye’ve been using a weapon ye are not accustomed to."

Zayn blinked.

"Uh... thanks."

’It seems some instincts from my past life might have truly carried over.’

But...

’What type of weapon did I wield?’

Magnus released Zayn and shifted his attention toward Jade.

«He wants to look at your hand.»

Jade’s eyes widened, and she recoiled slightly. Magnus chuckled at her reaction.

"I’m not a creep, lass, I promise! Haha!"

A mischievous smile crept across Zayn’s face as he signed:

«He said he’s a creep who has a hand fetish. We’ll get a discount if we let him play with our hands.»

Jade jumped back slightly.

"Ack!"

A quiet laugh slipped from Zayn before he corrected himself.

«I’m joking.»

Jade shook her head, then signed:

«Mean.»

She approached the counter and reluctantly presented her palms to Magnus.

Magnus leaned forward and ran his fingertips over them.

"I don’t mean to be rude... but has she wielded a blade at all?"

Zayn scratched his cheek.

"Not really..."

Jade was one of the few who’d survived by hiding from battle. Though she hadn’t remained as far removed from the carnage as Kakeru or Cynthia, the number of goblins she’d killed could be counted on one hand.

’Though, I guess calling Kakeru distant from carnage would be a little misleading...’

That guy had withstood a terrifying onslaught.

’Even if he’s yet to kill anything, that guy’s a little scary.’

Nonchalantly staying by the side of the people who virtually sacrificed him.

"Hmm..."

Magnus released Jade’s hands and turned back to Zayn.

"Fer you, Zayn, I’d recommend a falx. It’s an unusual blade for most, but it seems like it would fit ye. I only have two in stock because they’re so rarely used, and just one fits yer price. It’s exactly 10 silver. Though I did promise ye a discount."

Zayn tapped his foot in thought.

"Can I see it?"

Magnus answered with another hearty laugh.

"Haha! Of course! I wouldn’t sell you something blind!"