Volume 5 - CH 17

Chapter 5-17 : Returning Home Ⅰ

After leaving Marley-san’s house, Iris-san and I went to the leather store that was recommended by Leonora-san.

I was planning to buy materials to make winter clothes there.

Fox fur and weasel fur are popular materials to make winter clothes because of their lustrous color, but these kinds of fur are quite expensive.

Unless you are a noble or a rich person who wants to show off, you can choose cheaper ones.

Therefore, I chose sheep fur. It doesn’t look as beautiful as fox fur and weasel fur, but it can protect you from cold as well as they do.

After buying sheep fur and other necessary materials and tools, we returned to Leonora-san’s store and immediately prepared to return to our village.

「I wish you would stay one more night.」(Leonora)

「Ahaha… Thank you, but I want to finish my work as soon as possible.」(Sarasa)

While arranging the materials I ordered, Leonora-san said she wanted me to stay longer, but I shook my head to decline her kind offer.

Although I still have a lot of time before the deadline, I want to finish Prince Ferik’s request as soon as possible so as not to disappoint him.

Besides, I’m a bit worried about Lorea-chan.

Kate-san is staying with her, and they have Kurumi with them, so I don’t think I have to worry about them, but still…

We don’t know when Baronet Kirk and his men will come back after all…

Seeing my worried face, Filione-san frowned and rubbed her chin with her hand.

「Sarasa-chan, are you worried that Baronet Kirk will come to your store again?」(Filione)

She then asked me that question as if she could read my mind.

「Yeah, kinda…」(Sarasa)

「Actually, we did an investigation while you were at Marley’s house and we found something fishy about Baronet Kirk.」(Filione)

「We don’t know the details because there’s a lot of uncertain information, but you may need this in the future.」(Leonora)

After Leonora-san said that, Filione-san handed me a large envelope.

Judging from its thickness, I think there are dozens of sheets of paper inside.

「Thank you. I really appreciate it.」(Sarasa)

「You’re welcome, but please don’t rely too much on it because it’s just information that we think still insufficient to use against Baronet Kirk.」(Filione)

「Understood.」(Sarasa)

They said that this information is still insufficient, but I think they’re really amazing. I don’t know how but they were able to collect so much information in a short amount of time.

「Sarasa, before you leave, make sure you have bought all the items you need.」(Leonora)

「Don’t worry, I’ve checked them all. I even bought extra materials in case I made some mistakes.」(Sarasa)

Thanks to Leonora-san buying my artifacts at a higher price than I expected, I was able to buy extra materials.

The artifacts and tools we need are not very difficult to make, so I don’t think I would make mistakes, but it’s always nice to have some extra materials, right?

「Store Owner-dono, I finished loading the cart. We’re ready to go.」(Iris)

「Thank you, Iris-san.」(Sarasa)

Iris-san, who was putting the items I bought into the cart while I was talking with Leonora-san and Filione-san, came into the store.

I thanked her and returned my gaze to Leonora-san and Filione-san.

「Sarasa, if you need money again, don’t hesitate to tell me. As your senior, I’ll try my best to help you.」(Leonora)

「Thank you very much, Leonora-san. I’m currently in debt, so I’m indeed in need of money, but the one I owe is my own master, so I can take my time to make money and pay my debt. Besides, thanks to you buying my artifacts at a higher price, I still have some money to spare. 」(Sarasa)

While saying that, I shook my backpack, and then the clinking sound of coins striking against one another was heard.

「Well, that’s great. Still, I can’t forgive that crazy researcher for making you use a tremendous amount of money to save your friends. As I said yesterday, I promise you I will punch him in the face for you.」(Leonora)

「Y, You don’t have to, but… Please don’t kill him. Haha…」(Sarasa)

「Hahaha! I won’t, I won’t.」(Leonora)

「Talking about Nord-san, do you know that he is a friend of Prince Ferik?」(Sarasa)

「Prince Ferik is the first prince of this kingdom, right? I didn’t know that Nord was his friend…」(Leonora)

Leonora-san didn’t seem to know about it, but on the other hand, Filione-san put her hand on her chin and nodded as if she was expecting it.

「I see. As I thought…」(Filione)

「Fi, you know about it?」(Leonora)

「Nora, do you remember that Nord once told us that he has a connection with someone with authority?」(Filione)

「Ah, I remember. But did you expect that this ‘someone’ was a prince?」(Leonora)

「I did, honestly. This is only my guess, but the government thinks that Nord’s research is useful for the kingdom. However, he is the type of person who often causes trouble to others, even to himself when he does his research, so he must have someone who is supporting him from the shadows, and that person must be someone who has power and high status in this kingdom.」(Filione)

「「You’ve got a point!」」(Sarasa, Iris, & Leonora)

The three of us, other than Filione-san, nodded at the same time because of the very convincing explanation by Filione-san.

「Well then, it’s getting late, so I think we’ll be going now. Leonora-san, Filione-san, thank you for your help. I won’t forget your kindness. Ah, by the way, Filione-san, thank you for the dinner and breakfast. Your food was super delicious!」(Sarasa)

「Really? Fufu. That makes me happy. Here. I made lunch boxes for both of you. You can eat them on the way.」(Filione)

「Whoaa! Thank you!」(Sarasa)

「Filione-dono’s homemade lunch! I bet it’s better than luxurious food in a fancy restaurant!」(Iris)

「You’re exaggerating! It’s nothing special, really. But I hope you guys enjoy it.」(Filione)

「Sarasa, as you know, there are only the two of us here, so I would be happy if you come to visit again.」(Leonora)

「I will. I wonder if we can get home before dark.」(Sarasa)

「Going to Yok Village from South Strugg in less than a day, huh…? You’re insane as always…I kinda feel bad for Iris. She has to keep up with you while pulling the cart, right?」(Leonora)

Leonora-san put her hand on her forehead and shook her head. She then looked at Iris-san with a sympathetic gaze.

Without denying it, Iris-san smiled wryly at her.

「Ahaha… It will be tough for sure, but fortunately, it seems that I have an aptitude for body-strengthening magic, so I can keep up with Store Owner-dono. Besides, we will take turns pulling the cart.」(Iris)

「Hoo~ I see, I see. You will surely become a good fighter in the future.」(Leonora)

「She is good at body strengthening magic not only because she has an aptitude for it, but she also practiced really hard every day. That’s why she was able to master it in a short amount of time.」(Sarasa)

「Oh, stop it, Store Owner-dono. I feel embarrassed when you praise me too much like this.」(Iris)

Iris-san shyly looked away and scratched her cheek with her index finger.

She can be cute sometimes.

「Fufu!」(Sarasa)

I giggled, slapped her shoulder, and opened the door of the store.

Before I left, I turned my face to Leonora-san and Filione-san and said goodbye for the last time.

「Leonora-san, Filione-san, I’ll come again!」(Sarasa)

「Ah, Store Owner-dono, wait for me! Leonora-dono, Filione-dono, thank you for taking care of us! Until we meet again!」(Iris)

After saying goodbye to Leonora-san and Filione-san, Iris-san hurriedly ran toward me.

「Be careful on your way home!」(Leonora)

「Please come again~!」(Filione)

We waved our hands to the two and left the store while pulling the cart that was filled with materials.