There were many different rumors
“Hello, Isabelle.”
With Sebastian taking the lead, we entered the store.
It was me, Claire, Tilura and Sebastian.
Everyone could not all fit inside, and since Leo and Volgrau were waiting outside, Alfred and the others stayed with them.
Sherry had been sitting on top of Volgrau on the way, but she seemed to want to talk to Leo about various things now.
Though, fenrirs and Silver Fenrirs were different, so I didn’t know how useful Leo’s advice would be.
“Welcome. Oh, it’s you, Lady Claire and Mr. Takumi. And Lady Tilura too?”
“Are you going to ignore me… Well, nevermind.”
“Hahaha.”
Ms. Isabelle’s head popped out from the backroom as she greeted us.
I chuckled at her treatment of Sebastian.
They had the vibe of old friends, so I’m sure it was normal for them. Sebastian only pretended to be upset, but quickly smiled.
“Hello, grandmother Isabelle!”
“Hello, Isabelle. We haven’t been here since buying the magic tools, have we?”
“Indeed. It’s been that long. Yes, it’s nice to see you, Lady Tilura. Oh…is Liza not here today?”
“I’m sorry. She stayed at the house this time. For reasons…”
Liza was like a granddaughter to her, so she was a little disappointed.
Now that I thought about it, I could have just stopped her first and dropped Liza off… That would have made them both happy.
But it was too late now.
“A reason to not bring Liza here?”
“Well, I suppose we could have had…”
“Please allow me to explain.”
Sebastian stepped forward with a smile.
I suppose he wanted to make up for the frustrating time with Deurgo.
“…I see. Familiars and their masters. It’s true that there are more of those in Ractos recently. And not all of the stories you hear are good.”
Ms. Isabelle said with a nod.
So she knew about it too.
“Is that so?”
“I hear all kinds of things, both good and bad. Of course, they are just rumors, so they may not be true. But I understand why you would not want to take Liza to see such a man.”
“Yes…even though I might be overprotective.”
“I don’t think Liza would be that much affected by it, but I support your way of thinking.”
“So, Isabelle. What kind of stories do you hear?”
“Yes, Lady Claire. The good stories are really nothing unordinary. Just about how someone has acquired a familiar. And how they work together. As for the bad…”
Ms. Isabelle then told us what she had heard.
“Hmm. It will have to be looked into as well. What could be the purpose…”
“Maybe it is related to Deurgo.”
“Yes. I shall tell the guards and have Deurgo interrogated.”
Sebastian and Claire started to talk again.
The bad rumors were about how an organization was acquiring many familiars… That in itself wouldn’t have been too bad, only it seemed they were using them for crime.
Also, much like with Deurgo, they were being horribly mistreated.
Of course, it was all still a rumor.
But since there was a chance that it was true, Sebastian and Claire could not ignore it.
As for this supposed organization, they were not from Ractos, but occasionally visited with their familiars.
Deurgo had said that someone helped him with fighting the wolves, so perhaps he was related to them.
“In any case, please tell us if you hear anything else, Isabelle.”
“Very well. You are quite rough with me, you old man.”
Ms. Isabelle’s store was a good place to pick up such rumors… Though, the store looked so strange that I wondered if she really got that many customers.
I suppose she had some kind of network with neighbors and other stores.
“Now, as for the real reason that we came here today.”
“Oh, it was not to talk to me?”
“Of course.”
“Grandma Isabelle! We came today so you can check me!”
“You, Lady Tilura?”
Tilura suddenly lit up. Clearly, she had been bored with the earlier conversation.
Though, I did think she had her own feelings in regards to familiars…
Thanks for the treat.