Volume 5 - CH 15.2

Chapter 5-15 : Shopping Ⅲ (part 2)

After I told Leonora-san about what happened the other day when Baronet Kirk came to my store, she put her index finger and thumb on her chin and thought for a moment, and then moved her gaze to Filione-san.

「If he did come to your store himself, then… Hmm, come to think of it, Fi, that old man is not currently in this town, is he?」(Leonora)

「Yeah, I heard that he has been absent for a few days. That’s probably the reason.」(Filione)

Leonora-san and Filione-san nodded at each other as they confirmed something.

However, Iris-san and I don’t understand at all what they were talking about.

「Leonora-san, who is the ‘old man’ you mentioned?」(Sarasa)

「There’s an old man who has been serving the Kirk Family since the previous generation. I’m not sure if it’s correct to say that he’s Baronet Kirk’s assistant, though.」(Leonora)

「That old man is a smart and clever person. He is the one who manages the Kirk House and controls the current Baronet Kirk.」(Filione)

「Hold on… So, he’s like an evil puppet master?」(Sarasa)

「No, that’s not what I mean. You know that the current Baronet Kirk is an incompetent lord, right? What I mean by ‘he controls the current Baronet Kirk’ is that he restrains that stupid lord from doing stupid things. He managed to keep the Kirk House and this territory away from loss due to Baronet Kirk’s stupid actions.」(Filione)

「That’s right. It’s no exaggeration to say the reason this town has continued to be as prosperous as it was under the previous lord is because of this old man.」(Leonora)

I see. So, it seems that Baronet Kirk won’t be able to do anything right without this old man.

By the way, Leonora-san and Filione-san’s evaluation of Baronet Kirk was terrible, which isn’t really surprising.

I thought the same after actually seeing him in person the other day.

Leaving Baronet Kirk aside, I’m honestly curious about the old man Leonora-san and Filione-san mentioned.

「Iris-san, do you know about that old man?」(Sarasa)

「No, I’ve never heard of him before, but… I heard from my father that when Baronet Kirk came to our mansion, he was with an elderly man.」(Iris)

「That old man doesn’t usually show up in public, so not many people know his face, but I think that was him.」(Leonora)

「Do you think so?」(Iris)

「Yeah. Anyway, Baronet Kirk went to Sarasa’s store and picked a fight with you guys probably because that old man is absent. Now that the watchdog is absent, he can do whatever he wants.」(Leonora)

「I see… But there’s also a chance the old man was actually the one who pulled the strings, right?」(Iris)

When Iris-san made such a guess, Leonora-san thought for a moment and then shook her head.

「No, I don’t think so. That old man is smart. He must have known that picking a fight against Sarasa was a suicidal act.」(Leonora)

「Uhh, Leonora-san, you make it sound like I’m a monster or something… Look. I’m just a normal cute, fragile girl.」(Sarasa)

「Ahaha! I’m sorry, I’m sorry!」(Leonora)

「Leonora-dono, she’s lying!」(Iris)

Suddenly, Iris-san denied me.

「Mumu!?」(Sarasa)

「Store Owner-dono, you’re indeed cute. I approve of it. However, you’re not a normal fragile girl, right?」(Iris)

Ugh… I want to deny her but since she admitted that I’m cute, I think I’ll forgive her…

Seeing our silly exchange, Filione-san giggled.

「Fufu. Iris-chan’s right. Sarasa-chan, you’re cute, but Nora is right too that picking a fight against you is the same as suicide. Attacking an alchemist without justification alone could be a crime. Moreover, you’re a disciple of Ophelia Millis. You know what I mean, right?」(Filione)

「Yeah, I think I understand what you mean. My master is not afraid of nobles, especially those of low rank like a baronet.」(Sarasa)

Master once kicked a baron out of her store after they said something unpleasant to her. There’s no way she will be afraid of Baronet Kirk.

Filione-san thought that if anything happened to me, her disciple, she would surely take revenge.

「Anyway, I don’t think you need to worry about the old man, but you better keep an eye on Baronet Kirk. We still don’t know what he’s planning.」(Leonora)

「Alright, I’ll be careful. Well then, it’s getting late, so I think we’ll leave now. We still have to find an inn after all.」(Sarasa)

When I looked outside through the store window, the sun had started to set.

It would be better if we could find an inn before dark.

「That’s right. Leonora-dono, do you know any recommended inns around here?」(Iris)

「Waaait, hold on, hold on. What are you guys talking about? I thought you would spend the night here.」(Leonora)

「Eh? I indeed usually stay at your place but I came with Iris-san this time. We can’t cause you any trouble.」(Sarasa)

「Geez. You’re both still young. You shouldn’t hesitate to receive an elder’s kind offer. Besides, it’s hard to find a good inn that still has empty rooms at this time of day. We still have plenty of rooms here, enough for the four of us, so don’t worry.」(Leonora)

When I was about to decline, Leonora-san patted my back and Filione-san smiled at me.

「Sarasa-chan, you know Nora. Once she said that she won’t let you go. I’ve already bought enough ingredients for four people, so you don’t need to worry about dinner either if you stay here.」(Filione)

「Umm…」(Sarasa)

I glanced at Iris-san while thinking about what we should do.

Iris-san then brought her face closer to mine and whispered.

「Store Owner-dono, you don’t have much money right now. I think we should stay here.」(Iris)

Good and safe inns in South Strugg are not cheap.

No matter how I think about it, staying at Leonora-san’s house is the best choice right now. Moreover, I won’t have to worry about dinner.

Besides, I think what they said was right. It would be rude to decline elders’ kind offers.

Well, I think I have no choice but to stay here and let them take care of us.

「Alright then, we’ll be in your care.」(Sarasa)

「Thank you, Leonora-dono, Filione-dono!」(Iris)

Leonora-san and Filione-san looked happy when Iris-san and I bowed our heads as we said that.