Chapter 7: Reminiscence
Berine left, so Grace brewed tea in her place.
"Thank you. Um..."
"My name is Grace."
"Nice to meet you, Grace-san."
"Yes, Lady Ashley," the two exchanged smiles.
After drinking tea and taking a breath, Ashley, who was sitting across from me, muttered with a relieved expression.
"I feel a little relieved. Thank you for forgiving me..."
Perhaps she was still concerned about me being part of an Earl's family. It was considerate of her to be so formal, even though I had told her that I was a bastard.
In addition, Ashley had a stomach-churning problem of deciding Oslo's fate. Even if Ashley tried to show mercy, Kennel would be furious with Oslo like a raging fire, so it was unlikely that his treatment would be easy.
"Please don't worry too much about me."
"Lord Theodore... even though you seem to be around the same age as me, you are very mature and independent."
"....It's because I had no other choice in my environment."
Father gave me the same education as my other siblings, but it was forced to bear fruit due to my memories of Kagehisa and my relationship with Catherine and the others. It was a somewhat complicated feeling to be told this by Ashley, who was trying hard to be a lady.
"By the way... you don't seem to be feeling well?"
Looking at Ashley's state again, her breathing had become a little rough. Sweat was also starting to show on her forehead, so it was clear that she was physically weak.
"I'm fine with this much. I'm used to it."
"..."
My mother always said something like that too.
...There are many things that bounce back to me when talking to Ashley. Various things are frustrating and annoying.
Like my powerless self from a little while ago, or my mother when she was alive. I can't help but remember them.
"Lord Theodore?"
Ashley's voice sounded puzzled.
...Anyway, I'm going to leave the town soon, so this should be okay.
After this, there was also Berine's lecture, and if Ashley's health deteriorated significantly because of this, Kennel's impression of me would definitely worsen. On the other hand, if I put it off, I don't know when it will happen.
"Excuse me."
I probably had a stern expression on my face as I took Ashley's hands.
"Huh? Umm, what's going on?"
"Just stay still. Relax."
I used a derivative skill called "Circulating Ki," which utilizes magic circulation. A battle mage's magic circulation involves unifying their magical and physical energy throughout their body to improve the quality, output, and physical abilities of their magic. Applying this to another person's body is called Circulating Ki.
In the game, it continuously restores the target's health and hastens the recovery from abnormal conditions while the two parties' magic intercede to adjust the flow of energy using the nature of circulation.
It is not suitable for use during combat since it requires continued contact, but it's a convenient way to heal allies within BFO.
While still holding hands, I activated the circulation. The magic flowing through her body was directed towards me like a river's flow, and at the same time, I used my magic to adjust her veins and make them more normal. It is akin to a symptomatic treatment since it doesn't remove the cause, but it replenishes energy and strengthens resistance and natural healing. It might be just right for Ashley.
At the same time, I also distributed more magic to her, so the total amount of magic flowing through her was higher. If I released the circulation, the unified magic would be separated and converted into her life energy.
...Is that about it?
I stopped at a reasonable point and let go of her hands. Ashley's eyes widened in surprise.
"Was it good?"
"...I feel so much lighter. Was that magic?"
"To be precise, it's not magic but a type of magic manipulation. Ashley-sama might have a talent for magic, though?"
"Eh, me? A talent for magic?"
"I thought your internal magic quality was good. If you have the opportunity, why don't you learn magic to adjust your physical condition?"
Since one's body is their capital, her health is also related to the state of the territory. The reason why Kennel is overprotective is probably because she is weak.
Just as Berine returned with materials and began her lecture, I received money and a letter and left the room.
When asked to join them, I declined.
"Theodore-sama."
As the door closed behind me, Grace called my name.
"Have you remembered Lady Lisa?"
"Hmm, well, sort of."
It seemed that Grace also had something to say when she looked at Ashley.
We both understood what the other was thinking without saying anything, so we left the hallway and returned to the guild counter.
All that was left was to wait for Forest Bird here. It might be good to kill time by looking at request forms or going to the bar next door to have a light meal.
Certainly, it was less boring to wait at the guild than in the stable.
Lucian said, "It's ridiculous to make Teo-kun wait in the stable!" So we ended up waiting here. He was quite an odd child. He seemed to respect nobles, but the way he addressed them was rather casual.
Well, since he had given permission to call him that, it wouldn't be a bad thing to get closer.
Comparing the BFO and market prices posted on the wall was quite interesting, even though I wasn't an adventurer and was only here to pass the time. Anyway, it's not like it was crowded or anything.
After killing time like that for a while, a shout echoed through the guild counter.
"Just bring her already! Keeping her in such an unpleasant place is extremely rude!"
When I turned around, I saw a well-dressed white-haired man arguing with guild staff at the entrance.
"She is in the middle of an important discussion right now."
"You guys are useless! Just call that woman Berine!"
...I somehow knew who it was.
Perhaps it was the butler from Ashley's household, who had rushed to call her at full speed. Outside the open door, I could see a horse with a saddle on it.
If he arrived from a far place within such a short time, he must be quite lively for his age. Upon closer inspection, his hair and clothes were slightly disheveled, despite having been set.
...Well, it's a ship that has already sailed. I don't like it when someone interferes with what I've set up.
"Excuse me, is Mr. Kennel here?"
"What? Can't you see I'm in the middle of an important conversation?"
Kennel quickly scanned me from bottom to top with his eyes and frowned suspiciously.
"My name is Theodore Gardener. I'm the person involved in today's disturbance."
"Hmm..."
When he heard the name, Kennel's expression stiffened. It seemed that I had succeeded in getting his attention.
It couldn't be helped if he was a little cautious. I had to get him to listen to me first.
"Would you like to talk over there? It's an important matter for Lady Ashley as well."
I pointed to a table in the tavern.
"...That's the story."
"I see. Those fools from Oslo...it's truly lamentable."
After explaining today's situation and Lady Ashley's current situation, Kennel sighed and shook his head.
"May I ask again? Can we trust this woman called Berine?"
"If it's a professional relationship, then yes. Personally, I don't know her. But she's not the type to resort to rash measures. That's why I told Lady Ashley to take her words with a grain of salt and keep a distance. But since Lady Ashley is wise, I think she understood that."
"Well, that's only natural."
After assuming that he would leave immediately after the conversation, I explained the situation to Kennel, making sure to emphasize that Ashley was not in danger. First, I asked him to calm down.
"Have you ever had a conflict with adventurers in the past?"
"..."
Kennel didn't answer. He just looked into the distance for a moment and furrowed his brow.
What he had to swallow was the use of adventurers. As much as he knew that compromise was necessary, especially if they were skilled, he would have to face it whether he liked it or not once his anger subsided.
"While we're restructuring the security team, monsters won't wait. Their morale is at an all-time low, and the consequences of neglect are huge. We'll have injured and dead if our skills are lacking. We need the help of adventurers, no matter how temporary."
If that happened, various problems, such as the money that would have to be paid to the bereaved families or the dissatisfaction of the subjects, would arise.
"... When I talk to Lord Theodore, I feel like I'm talking to an adult," Kennel said sarcastically, smiling and squinting his eyes.
"That's rude. My father said I had a way with words."
"Hmm... I envy the count's family. You are a great young man."
"I don't have the right of inheritance. I don't get along with my stepmother either. Ashley-sama seems to have a promising future, though."
"I just... I thought that as long as that person had a proper aristocratic happiness, it would be enough. How many times have I wished that Elliot-sama had returned safely?"
"Who is Elliot-sama?"
"He was supposed to be the legitimate heir. Five years ago, when the previous head and his wife went into hiding, he was supposed to return from his studies, but he was involved in a ship accident and never came back."
Five years ago... yeah, Ashley makes me think about a lot of things.