Chapter 7 – Recollection

Since Beryne had left, Grace made tea for us instead.

“Thank you. Um…”

“My name is Grace.”

“Nice to meet you, Grace-san.”

“Yes, Ashley-sama.”

The two exchanged smiles.

After taking a sip of tea and letting out a breath, Ashley, sitting across from me, murmured with a somewhat relieved expression.

“I feel a bit reassured now. That you’ve forgiven me…”

I suppose she was still concerned about the Count’s family matters. Even though I told her I was an illegitimate child, she’s being quite conscientious.

Even without that, Ashley is burdened with the stomach-churning problem of deciding Oslo’s punishment. Even if Ashley wants to show mercy, Kennel would be furious with Oslo, so I doubt the punishment will be lenient.

“Please don’t worry too much about me.”

“Theodore-sama… you appear to be around the same age as me, but… you seem mature, or rather, quite independent.”

“…I suppose circumstances forced me to be that way.”

Father provided me with the same education as my other siblings, but… it felt like it was forcibly brought to fruition by Kagehisa’s memories and my relationship with Kathryn and the others. Hearing this from Ashley, who is presumably striving to be a proper lord, gives me somewhat complicated feelings.

“By the way—you don’t seem to be feeling well?”

Looking at Ashley again, I noticed her breathing had become slightly labored. A faint sweat seemed to be forming on her forehead too—she definitely seemed to have a weak constitution.

“I’ll be fine with this much. I’m used to it.”

“…”

Somehow… I feel like Mother always used to say things like that too.

…Talking with Ashley, many things bounce back to affect me personally. It’s frustrating in various ways, or rather, vexing.

Things like my helpless self from not long ago, or my mother when she was alive. I can’t help but remember them.

“Theodore-sama?”

Ashley’s voice sounded questioning.

…Whatever. I’ll be leaving town soon anyway, so this much should be fine.

I have Beryne’s lecture afterward too, and if this causes her health to seriously deteriorate, Kennel’s impression of me would definitely worsen. On the other hand, if I postpone it, who knows when the next opportunity would be.

“Excuse me.”

I probably had a stern expression on my face. I took both of Ashley’s hands as I was.

“Eh? Um, what?”

“Please stay as you are. Relax.”

I used Circulating Ki, a derivative skill of Magical Power Circulation. A Battle Mage’s Magical Power Circulation involves unifying the magical power and ki within the body and circulating them to refine them. This improves the quality of magical power, output, physical abilities, and so on.

Applying this to another person’s body is Circulating Ki.

In the game, its effect was to continuously restore the target’s vitality while touching them and speed up status ailment recovery.

The principle is that through mutual magical power and utilizing the nature of circulation, it regulates the flow of ki.

Since continuous contact is necessary, it’s unsuitable for use during combat, but in BFO, I used it as a convenient means of healing allies.

Maintaining our hand contact, I activated the circulation. I drew the magical power flowing through her body into my own circulation like pulling in a river’s current, while simultaneously using my own magical power to adjust the abnormalities in her energy channels closer to normal.

Since it doesn’t remove the cause, it’s closer to symptomatic treatment, but it replenishes vitality and enhances resistance and natural healing power. It might be just right for Ashley.

While regulating the flow, I also distributed more of the originally circulated magical power to her side. When the circulation is released, the unified magical power separates and should transform into her life energy.

…That should do it.

Stopping at an appropriate point and releasing her hands, I found Ashley with wide-eyed astonishment.

Her cheeks, which had been almost ashen until moments before, now had a rosy tint. Her lips seemed to have better color too.

“How do you feel?”

“…My body feels incredibly light, as if it’s unreal. Was that Magic?”

“Strictly speaking, it’s not Magic but a type of Magic Manipulation Method. Ashley-sama, you might have talent for Magic?”

“M-me? Talent for Magic?”

“I thought the quality of your Internal Magic Power seemed good. If you have the opportunity, why not try learning some Magic to maintain your own health?”

After all, health is the foundation for everything. Her well-being affects the state of the territory too. Kennel being overprotective is probably because she’s sickly.

Just as Beryne returned carrying materials and began her lecture, I received the money and letter and left the room.

She invited me to stay, but I declined.

“Theodore-sama.”

Just as the door closed behind me, Grace called my name.

“Did it make you remember Lisa-sama?”

“Hmm. Well, yeah.”

It seemed Grace had her own thoughts upon seeing Ashley too.

We both understood what we wanted to say and what we were thinking. Without speaking further, we walked through the hallway back to the Guild Counter.

Now all that’s left is to wait for Forestbird here. I could kill time browsing Requests or something, or maybe go to the tavern attached across the street for a light meal.

Certainly, waiting at the Guild is less boring than waiting at the stables.

“I can’t believe you’d make Theo-kun wait at the stables! It’s outrageous!” Lucian had said, so we ended up waiting here instead. He’s quite a strange kid. He seems to respect nobles, but his way of addressing names is rather familiar.

Well, I did give permission to call me that, and it’s not bad that we’ve become more comfortable with each other.

Looking at the wall postings and comparing BFO and this world’s Market Prices and such turned out to be quite interesting. I’m not an adventurer, so I’m just browsing completely, but since it’s not crowded anyway, it should be fine.

After killing time like that for a while, an angry shout echoed through the Guild Counter.

“Just bring that person here! Keeping them in such a filthy place is utterly disrespectful!”

Turning around, I saw a well-dressed white-haired man in a heated argument with a Guild employee at the entrance.

“As I said, they’re currently engaged in an important discussion.”

“Talking with you people is pointless! Call that woman Beryne or whatever her name is!”

…I have a feeling I know who that is.

This must be the servant from Ashley’s household who rode here at full speed on a fast horse, I suppose. Outside the wide-open door, I could see a horse with its saddle still on.

If he rode back alone, he might arrive around this time. He’s quite energetic for his age. Looking closer, both his styled hair and clothes were slightly disheveled.

…Hmm. Well, I’m already involved anyway. I don’t like someone interfering with what I’ve set up.

“Excuse me, would you be Kennel-dono?”

“Ah!? What is it!? I’m in the middle of important… business…”

Kennel quickly scanned me from head to toe with his eyes, then furrowed his brows suspiciously.

“My name is Theodore Gartner. I’m involved in today’s incident.”

“Hmm…”

Upon hearing my name, Kennel’s expression stiffened. It seemed my approach worked.

It can’t be helped if he becomes somewhat wary. First, I need him to listen.

“Shall we talk over there? It’s an important matter regarding Ashley-sama too.”

I pointed toward a table in the tavern and spoke.

“…And that’s the situation.”

“I see. That fool Oslo… completely… deplorable… absolutely.”

After I finished explaining today’s circumstances and Ashley’s current condition, Kennel sighed and shook his head.

“Let me ask you once more? Can that woman Beryne be trusted?”

“In professional matters, yes. Personally, I don’t know. At the very least, she’s not someone who resorts to rash methods. That’s why I advised Ashley-sama not to take her words at face value but to listen while maintaining distance. Ashley-sama is intelligent, so I believe she understood.”

“…Well, that’s only natural, of course.”

I explained the current situation with the premise that I would be leaving immediately afterward, and repeatedly emphasized that Ashley was in no danger. After first calming him down, I broached the subject.

“Did you have some dispute with adventurers in the past?”

“…”

Kennel didn’t answer. His eyes momentarily looked into the distance, and he merely frowned.

What he has to accept is using adventurers. The more capable they are, the more he must compromise there—once his rage subsides, he’ll inevitably have to face that reality.

“Monsters won’t wait while you’re reorganizing the Garrison. Their morale is probably at its lowest right now, and the cost of negligence is high. With poor training, there will be injuries and deaths. Whether as a stopgap or whatever, I think you need adventurers’ help.”

If that happens, various problems will arise—money to pay bereaved families, discontent among the territory’s people, and so on.

“…Speaking with Theodore-dono, I somehow feel like I’m talking with an adult.”

Kennel smiled sarcastically and narrowed his eyes.

“My apologies. My father also told me I’m quite articulate.”

“Hmm… I envy the Count’s family. You’re quite the remarkable Kirin.”

Kennel sank deeply into his chair as if tired and let his shoulders slump. The vigorous figure from earlier had vanished, and what remained appeared to be an elderly gentleman appropriate for his age.

“I have no inheritance rights. I don’t get along with my stepmother either. Ashley-sama seems to have a promising future, though.”

“I simply… thought it would be fine if that person could only have proper happiness as a noble’s child. How many times have I wished Elliot-sama had returned safely that time?”

“Elliot-sama?”

“The person who was the legitimate heir. Five years ago, when the previous head and his wife passed away, he was supposed to return from studying abroad, but… he got caught in a ship accident and never returned.”

Five years ago… huh. Really, Ashley makes me think about various things.