Chapter 448 – A New Contract

When I woke up… it was already well past my usual waking time. Judging by the angle of sunlight streaming through the window, it might have even been past noon.

I felt sluggish with a slightly heavy head from oversleeping.

I should have taken a bath immediately after returning and gone to bed early… Though I’d been supplementing sleepiness and fatigue with magic, perhaps I’d actually been more tired than I realized.

“Mmm…”

I stretched largely and sat up. Everyone else seemed to have woken up earlier… They must have been considerate enough not to wake me.

“Good morning,” I greeted Ouroboros leaning against the wall and Balor sunbathing by the window. Ouroboros purred in response, while Balor blinked his eyelids two or three times as if answering before moving to my shoulder.

I got out of bed, created water to wash my face and tidy myself up, then changed clothes.

Though I felt somewhat sluggish right after waking, perhaps because I’d gotten sufficient sleep, my thoughts had become clear by the time I finished changing.

“Alright. Let’s go.”

I reached for Ouroboros leaning against the wall as I headed for the door. It flew over and settled into my hand. Ouroboros, enhanced with Orichalcum… though it should be new, it felt familiar in my hand as if I’d been carrying it for years.

When I opened the door, Caduceus was also stationed in cat form outside the bedroom. It seemed he had been guarding me while I slept.

Heading downstairs to the first floor, I found everyone preparing lunch.

It appeared they had prepared my portion as well… They probably planned to wake me once everything was ready.

“Good morning, Theo.”

“Good morning, Theodore.”

“Ah, good morning.”

Though it wasn’t really “good morning” time anymore, I exchanged waking greetings with everyone.

“Thank you. I slept well,” I expressed gratitude for their consideration in letting me sleep in, to which Grace smiled and nodded.

Well then… I should help with lunch preparations too. Having missed breakfast, I was rather hungry. To be honest, the smell of lunch had partly woken me up.

“Tonight is the full moon, right?” Ashley said as we were relaxing after the meal, drinking tea.

“Ah, we should probably prepare for the summoning ritual before nightfall? Sheila and Irmhild have plans too.”

Personally, I’d like to go to the labyrinth to test Ouroboros… But that would mean the full moon labyrinth. With Claudia’s cooperation, we could probably go elsewhere, but since it goes against the labyrinth’s mechanics, the burden would likely be significant.

After yesterday’s events, everyone probably wants to rest, and it would be better to enter the labyrinth after preparing our conditions. Plus, with the full moon, there are preparations for Irmhild and the others’ performance at the theater.

“Are you two feeling alright?” I asked Sheila and Irmhild.

“We’re fine. We also rested properly after returning. We’ve been practicing for our performance at the royal castle, so we’re fully prepared.”

“Nn. We’re planning to meet with Justia and the others at the theater in the afternoon for rehearsal before the actual performance,” Sheila said, nodding at Irmhild’s words.

“In that case… it would be efficient to go to the theater together when the time comes, then pick up Her Highness Adriana and move on to preparations.”

This would involve Marlene’s new summon and the potential familiar for Princess Adriana. Since Sheila and Irmhild also want to witness the ritual, we should start after their theater performance ends.

“A summoning ritual. I wonder what will come this time.”

“That’s right. I’m quite looking forward to it.”

At Claudia and Rosemary’s words, Marlene smiled innocently and nodded.

Well, I should get moving after relaxing a bit more. The ritual preparations will take some time, but we should have plenty before Irmhild and the others’ performance. It might be good to teach Princess Adriana the procedures while waiting.

And then night fell—

A clear moonlit night with a brilliant full moon hanging in the sky.

As planned, we went to the royal castle to pick up Princess Adriana—and it turned out that Princess Stephania and Princess Elham, along with Corulis and Ramriya, would be accompanying her.

After the performance ended, we met up with Sheila and Irmhild at the theater, then headed to Peresford Academy with everyone.

“My, truly excellent things remain excellent no matter how many times one sees them. And to think we can even witness the ambassador’s summoning ritual,” said the Duke in high spirits, still seemingly excited from the theater performance.

Since the Grand Duke and the Duke’s family had also come to watch the performance… when I mentioned we were performing a summoning ritual, things naturally progressed to them coming to observe.

I had thought the Duke might be interested in such novel things… but he seemed exceptionally pleased.

When we entered the academy grounds, the Duke let out an “Oh.”

A large magic array drawn with blue Transference Stones filled the garden… creating quite an atmosphere. Bathed in moonlight, it truly felt like a grand magical ritual was about to take place.

Since you never know what might come through a summoning ritual, you need a spacious area. So just like before, we borrowed Peresford Academy’s garden, drew two large magic arrays there, and set up altars.

“Well then, without further ado, shall we begin? First… Marlene, I suppose?”

It would also serve as a review of the procedures for Princess Adriana.

When I spoke, Marlene nodded slightly and stepped forward, ritual rapier in hand.

Having performed the ritual several times, Marlene was calm. She approached the altar, let blood drip into the water mirror, then closed her eyes and assumed a stance with the sword as if praying.

There was no incantation. However, a magic circle expanded, and the magic array began to glow. Compared to before, Marlene’s spell formula deployment seemed faster and smoother.

The magic array’s glow intensified, and a pillar of light rose up. When it subsided… there stood a bipedal cat wearing a hat and draped in a mantle. Quite large for a cat—probably about the size of an average dog.

“A cat…?”

“It’s a Cait Sith,” I answered Sheila, who was tilting her head.

A cat fairy, they call it. Said to assist its master and bring wealth.

While it’s hard to say for certain at this point since they vary greatly between individuals, there’s a high possibility it possesses special abilities. Being a fairy at heart, its magical power is likely high.

The Cait Sith looked around, then fixed its eyes on Marlene, its summoner, removed its hat, placed a hand on its hip, and bowed to Marlene.

“—I have been drawn by the magical power strongly reminiscent of the night’s essence. I am simply astonished by the high magical power of everyone gathered here. If permitted, I would like to form a contract.”

So it understands human language. As expected, it was drawn to her magical qualities as a shrine maiden of the moon goddess.

Marlene nodded, cut a small portion of her hair, and threw it into the water mirror. The Cait Sith made a gesture as if respectfully receiving something invisible.

“I am utterly delighted. If this is not a familiar contract… might I be permitted to introduce myself?”

When Marlene nodded slightly at this question, the Cait Sith gave its name.

“My name is Pietro. Though I am but one training to become a worthy king recognized by my subordinates… I hope we may become acquainted.”

Hmm. I’ve heard that cat fairies practice monarchy… Perhaps he responded to the summoning as part of his training.

When the magic array glowed again… Pietro seemed to have returned to his place of origin.

“A cat fairy…” the Duke and others also expressed surprise. They probably expected something unusual from a summoning ritual, but likely didn’t anticipate something that could speak human language.

“Next… it’s my turn. I wonder if I can do it properly.”

Princess Adriana, who had received the ritual rapier from Marlene, took a deep breath and approached the other altar.

Just like Marlene, she let blood drip into the water mirror reflecting the moon, then performed a clear, resonant incantation. Though I taught her the procedures, she truly carried herself like royalty of the Magic Kingdom Silvatoria… clearly accustomed to wielding magic.

As the incantation continued, the magic array’s glow intensified—and a dazzling pillar of light rose up.

When the light subsided, what stood there was—

“A fox… perhaps?” Vanessa murmured, looking at the animal.

A white fox… but it was immediately clear this was no ordinary creature. Its tail was long, and moreover, there were many of them. Flickering purple, mysterious flames danced around the fox. A fire element being had come, matching Princess Adriana’s magical qualities.

“A Firetail,” I said.

With Kagehisa’s knowledge, it might be called a mystical fox… but in BFO, it was known as a Firetail. This too is closer to a spirit—a fox that has lived long and transformed—rather than a monster.

The Firetail quietly swayed its tails while looking at Princess Adriana with intelligent eyes. It seemed to be waiting for Princess Adriana to make the first move.

“What do you think?”

“From the beginning, I haven’t considered starting over,” replied Princess Adriana.

Even when Princess Adriana stepped forward for the contract, the Firetail remained calm. Apparently, it had no objections either. It seems Princess Adriana’s magical qualities met its standards.

Princess Adriana dipped her fingertips into the water mirror reflecting the Firetail’s form and proceeded with the ritual.

“O one who has answered my call. Here I shall reveal my name, grant you a name, and form an eternal covenant. My name is Adriana Silvatoria. Your name shall be… Flamia.”

As if responding, the Firetail… Flamia howled toward the moon. The unique cry of a fox resonated throughout the area.

The contract was established, and the magic array disappeared. Flamia quietly stepped forward, coming before Princess Adriana.

Corulis waited beside Princess Stephania, and Ramriya perched on Princess Elham’s shoulder… but they remained calm without any fighting. Hmm. It seems the contract was successfully established.