(Titus's [Charles's] POV)
The following day, I welcomed three more children from Whitechapel's slums, one of whom was an infant.
"Aaa, so exhausting...," I sighed as I put the toddler to sleep. The baby still required breastfeeding, prompting me to hire a nanny at a significantly higher fee, given her reluctance to care for these 'discarded' children.
[Mission Progress: 75%]
It was then I saw some new notifications.
[Due to certain anomalies, the system has decided to grant [Summon Servant] early access to the host.]
"Wait, why? What kind of anomaly?" I questioned, perplexed by the system's unexpected decision. It was an AI, after all, not capable of arbitrarily bestowing plot armor.
[The upcoming mission appears to have become more challenging. The system cannot identify the anomaly, hence given the early access as a precaution. You will have to investigate and resolve the anomaly yourself.]
"Does this anomaly relate to what occurred during the first mission?" I hesitantly asked. I didn't want to talk about Nero's death.
[The system lacks specific details, but the anomaly emerged after the first mission concluded.]
Hearing this disheartening news, I massaged my temples and sighed. Just as I thought I could start anew, my past resurfaced to haunt me back.
For now, I decided to test this new function, so I inquired further.
[Summon Servant
There are two classes of servants: [Prime Servants] and [Other Servants].
Prime Servants are individuals pivotal to Main Missions. Their abilities and noble phantasms may evolve based on life-changing events.
Other Servants include notable figures who appear during your missions. Their classes and skills remain consistent with their 'normal human history' counterparts, regardless of mission-related alterations.
Each servant can be summoned for 500 LCs and will remain materialized for a year. You will receive three command spells, each replenished for 50 LCs, up to a maximum of six per month. The servants' levels will be determined by your mana capacity. A random system summon option may arise if a servant consents or if a nearby human host is willing to be possessed by the servant, with costs varying accordingly. Once a servant dies during a mission, you cannot summon them again.]
[Summon Servants:
Prime: Nero Claudius (Saber)
Others: (???)]
I momentarily forgot to breathe when I saw Nero's name. Astonishingly, only 500 LCs were required!
"Fuu... Keep calm, keep calm..." I muttered, my pallor and perspiration betraying my unease. With my aged, weary body and lingering PTSD, I decided to take a short break. Since, after all, I couldn't abandon the children I had taken in.
After a brief respite, I reopened the system panel.
[A random servant in human form is available for summoning at no cost. Would you like to summon?]
After deliberation, I chose to proceed. I hoped it wouldn't be Nero, as I wasn't emotionally prepared to encounter her yet. The question marks in the panel also piqued my curiosity.
As soon as I pressed the YES button, my hand began to glow, forming three red marks on my right hand. I felt a surge of an invisible force entering my body, as if someone or something had just manifested at a distance. An impenetrable link seemed to be formed between me and my new servant.
[A servant has been summoned.]
I initially felt perplexed as I couldn't spot anyone in the room. Then, it dawned on me that the servant I had summoned inhabited a human body, so it might take some time for them to reach my location. Moreover, I was fairly certain that the summoned servant was not Nero but rather someone I had interacted with briefly. Reflecting on it, they might have been a heroic spirit from Nero's era.
Since there would be a delay, I decided to impart some knowledge to the children. They were a lively bunch, yet they showed respect when I was teaching them.
During our conversation, the doorbell rang. Upon opening the door, I was greeted by a stunning woman. She possessed long crimson hair and green eyes, dressed in a Celtic battle suit with a revealing cleavage and a red skirt.
(Author's Note: Second ascension but with long hair and no weapons.)
"Servant, rider. My name is Boudica, queen of the Iceni," Boudica introduced herself with a stern demeanor. "Are you the one who was with my daughters in my final moments?"
---
Sitting side by side on the bed in my room, I found myself at a loss for words in the presence of my first summoned servant. Children peeked from the doorway, some exclaiming, 'Look, we have a mother.' I didn't want to disappoint them, but I couldn't be certain whether this person would accept the role of a mother.
Boudica, the queen of the Iceni, had last been seen leading an assault on Roman soldiers. The servant version of her appeared much younger than the last time I had encountered her, which had been during her blood-soaked battle.
After her introduction, her first and only inquiry was about her daughters. It was true that I had been with her daughters during her dying moments, but I couldn't believe she would recognize me in my forties.
"So…" I began to recount the story of how I had found Boudica's daughters and rescued them from hungry wolves, among other things, when another system prompt appeared.
[You can insert your memories into hers if you allow the system.]
'This is convenient,' I thought. Without much hesitation, I pressed the YES button. Soon after I did that, Boudica's eyes welled up with tears as if she had just watched an emotional film within a matter of seconds.
"Y-you... saved my daughters?" Boudica spoke with a quivering voice.
I smiled and nodded, saying, "Well, you could say that. I wasn't sure if I should have entrust them to your people, so I took them in as my step-sisters. Eventually, I arranged marriages for them with my friends. Oh, and I provided them with dowries too." I chuckled as I spoke about my step-sisters. Though my time with them had been brief, it had been heartwarming.
"Yes, I also saw my grandchildren through your memories," Boudica said, wiping away her tears and then offering me a gentle smile. She began to stroke my cheek, much like a mother or older sister would to her son or younger brother. I wasn't sure how others might react to seeing a young woman comforting a 40-year-old like a child, but it felt comforting, so I allowed it. "I also saw your memories of both Titus and Tacitus. It must be painful..."
'Wait, what?! System, explain?' I was baffled because I had essentially allowed her to see everything. I had assumed that the system would only show her memories related to her daughters!
[You never specified what kind of memories you wanted to share with her.]
'You!!!' I resolved to have a one-on-one conversation with my system later.
"And so," Boudica continued, wiping away all her tears and looking at me with determination, "I am willing to serve you for as long as this body allows, as a token of gratitude for your kindness. I will assist you in your mission and be a mother to these children."
As if Boudica had breathed new life into me, I smiled and nodded. However, there was one issue to address. "Um... have you brought any clothing?"
"...no. Why do you ask?" Boudica inquired, confused by my question.
"Well, let's just say that this Britain isn't quite ready for such bold fashion choices." I gestured discreetly towards her exposed cleavage. In the game, such attire might be acceptable, but in the real world, it could pose challenges.
"Oh, hehehe..." Boudica blushed and chuckled wryly.
I sighed. Summoning such alluring servants in the future would certainly test my self-control.
---
The following day, I had to create a new identity for Boudica and formally marry her into our household. The government's regulations only permitted churches to care for orphans without scrutiny. For others, like us, they required a married couple to take in the children. Hence, I had to marry Boudica.
Boudica turned out to be an incredible help. She effortlessly assumed over 90% of the responsibilities for looking after the children. Preparing meals, playing with the kids, and tending to them seemed to come naturally to her.
Meanwhile, I continued searching for more children to bring into our care and advance my mission. However, the mission progress remained stagnant at 75% even after a week. The silver lining was that the killings in Whitechapel had ceased entirely since I had taken in all the slum children. Jack the Ripper seemed to have vanished without a trace.
After tucking the children in for the night, I retreated to my new room, which was considerably larger than my previous one. I had changed rooms because Boudica was now living with me. Though we rarely shared the bed since we had to take turns looking after the children in case they woke up.
"Hey, Titus, thanks for your hard work. Come on in~!" Boudica greeted me with a warm smile.
"Thank you too." I closed the door and joined her. She was in the midst of breastfeeding a baby, who appeared to be thoroughly enjoying the nourishment from the beautiful woman.
"So, I've been meaning to ask, do servants lactate?" I had observed her feeding infants before, but now I was curious. Perhaps she had been a mother who was lactating when she took on her current servant form?
"In this reality, the woman I'm inhabiting has just become a mother..." Boudica's expression shifted, her smile tinged with sadness. "But her baby died because she was preoccupied with her 'work.' Consequently, she lost her child."
I immediately regretted asking, sensing the discomfort in her response. As if perceiving my unease, Boudica smiled.
"Please don't look so concerned. You have every right to know about me," she assured me. "She was on the brink of taking her own life when I offered to inhabit her body as a servant. She agreed without hesitation, as she was already emotionally shattered."
"It must have been incredibly difficult for her. What's her name?" I inquired.
"Her name is Mary Jane Kelly."
My eyes widened. That was the name of one of Jack the Ripper's canonical five victims. According to Boudica, this woman had lost her child before her tragic death at the hands of Jack the Ripper, based on my knowledge. It meant that even without Jack the Ripper's intervention, Mary would have met a tragic end. It was a sorrowful revelation and an unusual fact uncovered during this mission. Perhaps I should investigate the backgrounds of the other victims as well.
For the time being, I decided to silently observe a mother feeding her child, reminiscent of her daughters.
Sensing my gaze, Boudica blushed and slowly lifted her blouse from her other breast.
"Um, Titus, y-you can have some if you want, hehe…" Boudica smiled.
I was taken aback, not expecting her to be so open-minded. Moreover, I believed she had misunderstood my intentions. Now that I think about it, I understood why her daughters' husbands had been uneasy around me. Internally, I facepalmed and sighed, but there was little I could do. Besides, now that she was offering, could I really refuse? However, there was one more thing I needed to clarify.
"Boudica, are you sure about this?" I scratched my head. "What about your previous husband? I wouldn't want to disrespect him, as a man who also once loved a woman."
I remembered that she had enjoyed a loving life with her husband, King Prasutagus, before his death due to illness, which had led to the tragic events in Boudica's life. Additionally, her husband is eligible to be a servant.
Boudica appeared surprised but wore a radiant smile. "Thank you for your concern, but it's alright. Before my husband passed away, he gave me his blessing to seek love and continue living a happy life." Her hand reached out and touched mine. "You saved my daughters from their terrible fate. Not only that, but you also cared for them and arranged their marriages, fulfilling the dreams my husband and I had for our daughters... So, I believe there's no shame in falling for a remarkable person like you."
I blinked several times to ensure I hadn't misheard her. Boudica had just given me a clear invitation. Whelp, it wasn't an issue for me, as I had always been curious about the taste of a woman's milk.
"In that case..." I gently lifted her breast and sealed my lips around her nipple. With a gentle squeeze, her milk flowed into my mouth, and I tasted a woman's milk for the first time. I mean sure I had tried it as a child, but who remembers those experiences unless you're reincarnated douche like Rudeus?
"Ah~!" Boudica let out a soft moan as I nursed from her, while the baby seemed to smirk, as if saying, 'I know, right? It's really good.'
After a few sips, I released her breast and swallowed a mouthful.
"H-how was it?" Boudica asked, her cheeks flushed.
"Sweet and creamy," I replied with a smile, licking my lips. I didn't have a sweet tooth, but it was a pleasant indulgence, I must admit. I wanted more, but I didn't want to overindulge. There were two infants in the house who needed those jugs more than me.
"Hehe, my husband said the same." Boudica chuckled but then blushed, as if she could read my emotions from my obvious expression.
"Then as your current husband, I'd like to take the next step, you know what I mean." It was time for me to address my ED, and I believed Boudica, my legal wife and a beautiful woman, would be the ideal person to assist with that.
She nodded, and after settling the baby to sleep, she lay on the bed. Since I didn't want to fondle her breasts as she was still breastfeeding, my plan was to just kiss her and then proceed for the showdown. I leaped towards her. I wasn't sure how she'd feel about kissing a bearded man, but at that moment, I was more focused on curing my ED.
As I leaned in for a kiss, however, I experienced a searing pain in my head and felt nauseous. Images of Nero covered in blood began to haunt me. Just as I was about to throw up on Boudica, I rushed to the toilet.
---
"…"
I felt utterly pathetic. Not only was I still haunted by those nightmares, but there was absolutely no response down there. It was a disheartening feeling.
It was at that moment that I felt Boudica's hand on mine as she approached me.
"As someone who witnessed my husband pass away right before my eyes and almost lost my daughters too, I can sense your pain. But you should not blame yourself, Titus." Boudica smiled and gently rubbed my back. "You are a kind person with a strong will and a warm heart, perhaps even more than you realize. With those qualities, I believe you can overcome any adversity that fate throws your way. Please, just don't lose yourself."
Her comforting words touched my heart, and I smiled, nodding. "Thank you, Miss Boudica. But I don't think I'll be able to fulfill my role as a proper husband." In other words, there would be no romantic involvement between us.
"That doesn't matter because we have children. We lack nothing to be a happy family." Boudica smiled as she leaned against my shoulder. Her reassuring words warmed my heart. I felt blessed to have been able to help her daughters and to have her as my servant.
I wrapped my arm around her and kissed her forehead. We continued to talk for a few minutes, discussing our plans when suddenly something felt off. Outside my mansion, everything had suddenly fallen silent. Even Boudica sensed it.
!!!!!!!
Just then, a massive thunderclap struck nearby with such intensity that it shook the entire building. Both babies in my room woke up abruptly and began crying. But it wasn't just them; I could hear cries from other rooms as well.
Boudica and I hurriedly picked up the infants to soothe them, but they wouldn't stop crying. It was as if they had sensed danger and were afraid of something.
"What the...!" When I looked outside, I noticed a clear sky through my window. But what truly took my breath away was the sight of a red moon radiating in full glory.
I knew who was coming!
"Boudica! We need to check on the other children! Protect the babies at all costs!" I ordered Boudica, who nodded in agreement, and we rushed in the direction of the other children.
"Watch out!" Just as we were on our way, a window near me suddenly shattered. Thanks to Boudica's timely intervention, I escaped injury, and the baby in my arms remained unharmed too. Looking outside, I saw the faint silhouette of a person. It was the doctor, the first Jack the Ripper who had killed me.
"Let's go!" I ignored him and continued towards the other children. Upon entering their bedroom, we found all the children huddled together. The little ones were crying, while the older ones trembled with fear. In the end, they were safe but terrified. However, there was just one problem.
"Where is Maria?" I asked the children about Maria, but none of them responded. They were too frightened to answer. I looked around but didn't find her.
I clenched my teeth and was about to leave the bedroom when Boudica stopped me. "Wait! Where are you going?! Let me come with you!"
"No," I said, raising my arm towards Boudica and showing her my command spells. "I command you with my first command spell to use your Noble Phantasm to create a protective barrier around the children! I command you again with my second command spell to continue protecting the children and... raise them well even if I am gone!"
Despite her anger at my decision, her body acted on my command as she materialized her sword and shield. She raised her sword into the air and invoked her Noble Phantasm, the Chariot of Boudica. It was a chariot drawn by two fine horses, representing Britannia and symbolizing protection. Its primary function was to serve as a "shield" to safeguard comrades. In my view, four transparent wheels began to circle around the children.
I never thought I would compel my first servant to use her Noble Phantasm against her wishes, but there was no other option. Protecting the children was my top priority, even more so than my own safety. Though I had betrayed her trust.
As I was about to leave, not wanting to face Boudica when she hugged me from behind. I believed I had stopped her with my command spell, but then I realized I was still within her range. However, a notification appeared.
[Your defense has been increased by 10%.]
"P-please return safely." I could hear her voice trembling, and I could feel tears on my back, but there was nothing I could do at that moment. With those words, she released me, and I ran.
I knew where Maria would be, as I followed the same sense of dread I felt every time I encountered Jack the Ripper. I soon entered the main hall. The hall was eerily filled with disgusting fog where I spotted one person. There, I saw Maria standing alone in the middle of the hall.
She stood motionless with her face down, but as I got closer, I saw her eyes. They were a pale crimson. A sudden wave of dread washed over me, and I began to tremble. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. The child I had cared for and promised to protect forever had transformed into Jack the Ripper.
"Mister, you shouldn't have come to see me. Now, you will die."