CH 275

I Would Take Leo For Walks In Ractos

“Well then, as soon as everything is settled, we can start production in Range village. Is that alright, Mr. Takumi?”

“Yes. I’ve been quite worried about the future of Range village, so if things can go in a good direction for them, then I will have no objections.”

“I had been discussing it with Sebastian, and if rumors of the disease spread, then the wine will stop selling… Of course, we will do what we can to prevent that, and will not say what the reason was.”

“Well you can never tell where rumors will come from or whether they will spread or not.”

“Indeed. But if we release a new wine, and people’s attention moves there, we may be able to stop the rumors. At the very least, they shouldn’t spread too much.”

“That’s true. Mr. Ekenhart, will you be selling it at Mr. Kalis’s store?”

Mr. Ekenhart was worried about rumors spreading about how Range village’s wine was the cause of  the disease.

But both he and Sebastian agreed that they could deal with that by selling the new wine, which would attract a lot of attention.

“Of course, it will be sold at Kalis’s store as well. But…we will have to sell it at other stores as well, if we want its reputation to grow. Besides, it would be nice to sell it in other towns eventually. This wine should be drunk everywhere.”

“I agree with that.”

If they only sold it at Mr. Kalis’s store, then word would spread too slowly.

Even if the store was owned by the duke, there was only so much that a single store could do.

And so they would have to sell it at as many stores as possible, in order for its reputation to grow as Mr. Ekenhart said.

“Well, we will have to discuss it with Sebastian later.”

“It can be later, when you have time. But can you take Leo to the town of Ractos?”

“Leo?”

“Wuff?”

Mr. Ekenhart was asking me to take Leo to Ractos.

I couldn’t understand why. Leo had been drinking her grape juice with satisfaction, but she now looked up with a puzzled expression.

Maybe she was surprised at being called so suddenly.

“Well, you will have plenty of occasion to visit it from now, won’t you Mr. Takumi? And while the town guards are used to seeing her… The residents… There are plenty who have not seen Leo yet. And so I want them to get used to her presence, so as to not cause confusion. Understand?”

“I see. Yes. But I don’t think that I can go every day…”

I didn’t know how often would be enough. But I couldn’t visit it every day.

I had to make the herbs and also had my sword training.

“Aye. It does not have to be every day. Just once every four or five days should do. It could be less if you are especially busy.”

“Very well. I will try to go to Ractos with that regularity then. So I think I’ll start by going once tomorrow.”

If it was just once every four to five days, then it would not be much of a hassle.

After I answered Mr. Ekenhart, Leo barked happily and nodded.

Leo would be able to run around outside, so it would be good exercise.

“Thank you. And I’m sure you will have business in Ractos some days, which can be included as one of your visits.”

“Yes. Maybe I’ll use the opportunity to sightsee a little.”

“Wuff. Wuff.”

I had gone to Ractos a number of times, but never had the chance to look around and explore at my leisure.

Even though I had been there more times, it was Range village where I was able to relax and really enjoy and learn about the place.

Of course, they were different in scale, and my purpose was different. So perhaps they shouldn’t be compared…

“If you have any questions about Ractos, you should ask Sebastian. Like if there is anything in particular you are looking for.”

“Very well. While I’ve been there a number of times, I don’t know the place well at all… So I will ask Sebastian if I need anything.”

The only places I knew of were…Mr. Kalis’s store, the orphanage…and Ms. Isabelle’s store.

I had also been to a general goods store, but it was only once, and we were following Sebastian, so I didn’t really remember the way there.

In any case, it might be nice to visit Ms. Isabelle and talk and drink tea.

There was a lot that I wanted to ask her about magic items, and I’m sure she would be happy to have someone to talk to.

“Hmmm. That’s all for now… Still, it is eerily quiet…”

“It is…”

After eating dinner, we always drank tea together.

But on this day, there was no tea, as we were drinking wine.

At Mr. Ekenhart’s words, I turned my head and looked in the direction of Ms. Claire and the others.

Tilura must have had no interest in what we were talking about, as she was nearly drifting off to sleep.

Sherry was in her arms, and was already sleeping.

As for Ms. Claire and Ms. Anne, they were more focused on their drinks.

“Lyra. Pour me another glass.”

“But Lady Claire…”

“Just bring it over now. And some for Anne as well.”

“…Yes, certainly.”

“Ms. Claire, I don’t think I can drink anymore…”

“What are you talking about, Anne? Surely you have just gotten started?”

“…Ah…Claire seems to be a little drunk…”

“It does seem like it…”

Said Mr. Ekenhart and I. And I felt a little sweat drip down the side of my face.

Ms. Claire was tipping her wine glass into her mouth. At a glance, she seemed normal enough, but there was definitely something different about her.

As her face hadn’t become flushed or pale, we hadn’t noticed it earlier.

Ms. Claire now had a firm grip on Ms. Anne’s arm, and she could not escape.

“Hmm? What is it, father and Mr. Takumi?”

“Uh, well… Perhaps you’ve drunk enough now?”

“What are you babbling about? In this house…this amount is nothing!”

“Re-really?”

I feel like I had seen something like this recently…?

Ah, it was Phillip in Range village.

As this was Range village’s wine, the alcohol content was pretty high.

And because it was sweet and easy to drink, she might have drank too much.

As Ms. Lyra poured her another glass, Mr. Ekenhart and I regretted not noticing it sooner.