The three arrived near the town of Houndor as Ci stopped suddenly. The other two look at her, confused.
Akeru: I-Is something wrong?
Ci: I will wait here for you.
Itsuki: Okay…why….?
Ci: As I'm sure you have seen from experience, some don't exactly welcome Witches in open arms. If I stay here, it will cause fewer issues for you both.
Akeru: If you say so…we will be right back!
Akeru and Itsuki go on ahead. The town was snowy but not icy like Ci's domain. They looked around the brightly lit town till they saw a familiar sight: The Guild. They walked in to see a shorter woman behind the counter, hiding from them. Akeru approached her, confused.
Akeru: Uhm…hello?
Woman: I'M SORRY!
Itsuki: E-eh?
Woman: WE DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY! DON'T ROB ME, PLEASE!!!
Akeru: E-E-Easy now, we are just looking for information.
The woman rose, tears in her eyes as she sniffed.
Woman: Y-You are?
Itsuki: Just out of curiosity, your name isn't Aojoshi…is it?
Aojoshi: H-H-How did you know my name?!
Akeru: The parents really are awful at naming their kids….
Itsuki: We uh met one of your sisters, Kiiro-
Aojoshi jumped up and was in their face with a sudden interest in her face.
Aojoshi: Sissy?! How is she?! Did she send you here?!
Akeru: N-No, she just told us she had family working for the Guild in other countries! We didn't expect to find one out here.
Itsuki: Yeah, kind of a dead country, honestly…
Aojoshi: T-T-That's because of the Ice Witch! The island used to be less…like this! We still had snow, but not to this degree!
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Akeru: S-She caused all this?
Itsuki: Makes sense…so did people use to come a lot?
Aojoshi: Mhmm! The Anti-Witch Federation has been trying to capture her and thaw out the island. But every time they try, she just freezes it again.
Itsuki: The Anti-Wtich Federation…so maybe Ci isn't a villain; considering what we know about the Federation, there may be another reason for this.
Akeru: Anyways, we need information. Do you see my amulet here? We are looking for one like it.
Aojoshi: I-I-I don't know anything about jewelry! B-B-But maybe go down the street to the jeweler's shop; he could tell you more!
Itsuki: I-It's not just jewelry, it-
Akeru: Thank you for your time!
Akeru dragged him out of the Guild as Aojoshi just went back to hiding. Itsuki breaks free and glares at her.
Itsuki: What gives?!
Akeru: Let's try not to tell anyone the amulet's name or that it's unique. If that Federation is stationed on this island, they may cause issues for us.
Itsuki: But they don't do anything non-Witch-related, right? Why would they care about some amulet?
Akeru: I…am not sure, just a gut feeling I have. The way Ci reacted to it makes me think there is more to these two amulets than we thought. Let's stop by this jeweler and see if maybe he knows anything.
The two headed down the street to the store. They slowly open the door to find the lights off and no one inside.
Akeru: H-Hello? Anyone in here?
Itsuki: No response…you think I should use Pyro-
Akeru: Idiot! Don't use fire in a building like this, do you want to start something!?
???: What can I help you with?
The two turn to the corner of the room, where a muscular man is sitting on a stool with blonde hair, an undercut on his right side, and long hair draping over his left eye. He had several piercings, most on his ears, but he had a nose stud in his right nostril. He was wearing a spiked biker jacket and jeans.
Itsuki: A-Are you the jeweler?
???: Damn straight…what do you all want?
Akeru: W-W-We are looking for an Amulet!
???: Can't say I sell-
Itsuki: No, we are looking for one not sold in a store! We were hoping you would maybe know something about it,
The man stood up and turned the lights on, towering over the two with his height.
???: Not exactly an information place…
Akeru: W-We just need to find an amulet like the one I have, is all…
???: Hmm…have you tried a craftsman?
Itsuki: No, we…ugh, we don't need one made; there is one that exists somewhere on the island, we think! We need to get it.
???: Oh, that makes sense…
The man turned the lights off and returned to his stool. Akeru and Itsuki just blankly look at each other.
Akeru: Uhm…?
???: What do you want…?
Itsuki: Can you…tell us anything?
???: About what?
Akeru: The amulet!
???: Nope.
Itsuki: Let's go, Akeru; we won't get anything from this guy…
???: Hey, hold on…
Akeru: W-What?
???: Are you gonna buy anything?
Itsuki and Akeru barged out of the store and slammed the door behind them. They wandered around town, trying different shops and people to try and find a lead.
Akeru: This is hopeless…maybe this stupid thing isn't on the island?
Itsuki: I'm not sure… let's head back to Ci.
Akeru: Might as well…
The two left the town to where they left Ci…to see that she was not there anymore!
Akeru: You have to be joking…
Itsuki: She didn't…just ditch us, did she?
The two looked around, and both sighed heavily.
Akeru: I'm starting to understand why everyone hates Witches…
Itsuki: Same here…