Chapter 29: Familiar Caduceus
"How is it?"
Today's breakfast consisted of white bread, a soup of fish and shellfish, and a salad with homemade bacon.
It seems Ashley is in charge of seasoning the soup. As I bring the spoon to my mouth, the situation feels like I'm being watched with an anxious expression, as if holding my breath.
"Mm, it's delicious."
The taste is slightly tangy, with a light seasoning.
"Ashley-sama is improving quickly."
Grace is responsible for guiding Ashley in various household chores.
I can't help but think it's strange for the head of a baronial family to do household chores... According to Ashley, it seems she had a longing for a life where she could cook for her husband, as she read in books in the study. With the addition of her daily cultivation practice, Ashley's physical condition is excellent, and she seems happy to be able to move her body.
That's why the three of us take turns taking care of the household chores.
After finishing breakfast, we move to the living room, have some tea, and chat. Then, we take a break and move according to each person's schedule.
"Excuse me."
As I sit on the long couch in the living room, Grace snuggles up next to me and lightly leans against me. Ashley, on the other hand, hesitantly takes my hand, somewhat reserved.
Being surrounded by them at a distance where I can feel their body warmth, I instinctively correct my posture... Um.
For Grace, relieving her bloodsucking impulse is necessary, and that inevitably leads to creating time for her to touch or embrace me. Just like hunger, enduring it becomes stressful.
So, it was proposed by both of them to create such moments, rather than Ashley just watching from the sidelines.
I tried to convey that it might be awkward in various ways, but it doesn't seem to resonate with them because their knowledge is limited. Nowadays, I think highly of Japanese education and the information society.
I understand that Grace deviates slightly from common sense. As for Ashley, I tried to probe a little to see how she is... It seems her education was mostly focused on the mindset of being a noble. She doesn't know much about the specific obligations of nobles when it comes to marriage.
I told them that they don't have to stay with me if I'm inadequate... but after that, Ashley clearly said, "I have no intention of going to someone else." Hmm.
Considering age, knowledge, current position, and future matters... I still have to follow the proper steps. That hasn't changed from before.
In other words, this is it. It's my test of endurance and reason.
Let's do it after breakfast. If there are plans afterwards, I just have to endure until then.
"Sigh. It really does calm me down."
"My father and mother... I feel like they often spent time together just like the two of you."
Grace and Ashley exchanged smiles.
...Let's consider it a good thing that the two of them look happy.
"Oh, Caduceus has returned."
A black liquid-like substance entered through the closed window frame.
As soon as a black puddle formed on the floor, it swelled up from the center... and eventually took the form of a large black cat. It was an ordinary cat, but about 50% larger in size. The eye area emitted a metallic sheen due to structural colors.
It was a magical creature and a familiar known as Shadow Mercury. Its name was Caduceus.
As seen, its original form was a liquid body without a defined shape, but it had the ability to solidify and perform other tricks.
Currently, it was keeping watch around the house at night. Specifically, it spread out in a net-like pattern, serving as a surveillance agent for the entire surroundings of the house.
Since Shadow Mercury had eyes and a brain throughout its entire body and also possessed a sense of touch, it could perceive events within its expanded range as if touching them with its own hands. Being naturally black, it was perfect for nighttime surveillance.
"Give me a report."
When asked, Caduceus, who had sat on the table, lost its cat form. It took the form of a miniature representation of the surrounding terrain.
It reproduced the movement of people from last night to this morning in fast forward on the miniature model.
In essence, it was a three-dimensional reproduction of Caduceus' memory. It was similar to watching footage from a surveillance camera... but there were subtle discrepancies in the details of the reproductions, such as the clothing of the passing individuals. This might be a blind spot in Caduceus' recognition abilities.
The specifications of Shadow Mercury depended on the materials used, including the blood and abilities of its master. However, Caduceus, created using my and Grace's blood as materials by the alchemist Beatrice who I commissioned, turned out to be of higher specs than what Beatrice had anticipated. It cost 1,500 kilrig. Well, it was a good bargain.
As for why I was having it do such things, it was for security reasons, or rather, as a countermeasure against Count Maurice. Well, something like that.
"This person... hasn't moved since earlier."
Grace pointed to a person standing at the corner of the fence in the backyard of our house. They were wearing a hood, and their face was not discernible... but it was evident that they were anxiously scanning their surroundings, looking around.
To put it frankly, their actions were incredibly suspicious.
"Are they someone related to the Cardiff Earl's family?"
"Their movements are strange for that."
Rather than monitoring our house, it seemed more like they were cautious about the comings and goings of the surroundings. It appeared as if they were observing those who approached my house from a hiding spot. That was the most accurate description.
As I continued to observe that person for a while, they eventually reached for their hood, revealing their face. Then, they lightly shook their head, which had distinct animal ears, and covered their face with the hood again before leaving.
"Beastman tribe... I see."
On top of a miniature figure, the shape of the ears could be discerned even in the pitch-black color.
The beastman tribe that is vigilant around my house, huh? I don't really have any clue.
They don't seem like servants of the Count's household or the Prince's entourage either.
"Caduceus, do you remember this person's posture and face?"
The miniature set transformed and displayed a shrunken figure of a beastman. The attire was distinguishable, but... I couldn't quite make out the face, as it was in Caduceus's blind spot.
"...If you happen to see someone with a similar posture to this beastman in town, let me know."
Caduceus nodded in agreement while in the form of a beastman.
I'd like to hear their story if possible, as I have no idea what their purpose is, but it's also possible they might attack if I approach them. It's a difficult decision to make.
"Well, let's set this matter aside for now. So, what's Ashley's schedule for today?"
Ashley is my fiancée, after all. I made sure to speak to her in a tone that wasn't too formal. It's more like showing her the usual me.
"I have Rosetta-sensei's lecture today. She said it's about defensive magic and enhancement magic."
...Rosetta's teachings have been shifting away from healing magic.
Perhaps it's because she became my fiancée, but it seems like she intends to teach Ashley any spell she can learn, not just healing magic.
According to Rosetta, if Ashley becomes a lord capable of using healing magic, she should have some practical combat experience in case of abnormal monster occurrences or attacks within her territory.
In other words, it means that once Ashley's magic skills improve a little, she'll be able to venture into the labyrinth to some extent.
Even in BFO, defeating monsters inside the labyrinth granted extra experience points... That seems to be true even in the current reality, where strength, stamina, and magic power can be increased by continuously defeating monsters in the labyrinth.
It's not just about practical combat experience either. Although not as much as Ashley, my mother also had a tendency to have poor health. When she was young, she gradually ventured into the labyrinth with Rosetta to train her body... and it seems there was some improvement.
It's like a labyrinth-leveling health regimen, so to speak. But I'll wait until Ashley's magic reaches a combat-ready level before taking her along.
Perhaps Rosetta will approach us at the right time. It will probably involve supporting us in relatively safe layers while observing the situation. But before that, let's obtain the Red Turnstone.
"When Rosetta arrives, I'll go out with Caduceus for a bit. Keep Grace in her released state and look after the house for me."
"What are you planning to do?"
"Just taking a walk alone while running some errands."
To be honest, I also want to get a decent staff and robe... In other words, I intend to lure enemies with my solo actions.