277: A Hand Extended
I had gone out on a date, and I had come back with three kittens and their mother. Rebecca’s voice was filled with exasperation.
“…So, what happened?”
“I picked them up, or rather, the mother cat chose me.”
“…Well, fine. It’s Master, after all. So, what do you want to do? Let me hear it.”
“They don’t seem to be sick or injured, but I was thinking of taking them in until they’re better.”
“Understood. I’ll examine them in the parlor.”
As she had declared, she picked up the limp kittens one by one, checking their weight, petting them lightly, and looking inside their mouths.
“They’ve been weaned. They’re a little weak, but there are no external injuries, and they don’t seem to be sick. They probably just haven’t had enough to eat. And it’s still cold at this time of year. In any case, there are no major problems for now.”
And she placed the three of them on her lap, took a quill pen and paper from the low table, and, after scribbling a note, handed it to Samarkand.
“Samarkand, get the items on this list as quickly as possible. If you can’t find something, prioritize speed. For now, what we have will do.”
“Yes, Rebecca-sama.” Samarkand bowed respectfully and immediately left to do as he was told.
“…Rebecca, not to be rude, but why are you so good at this?”
“Because I’m the type of undead who can control my mana absorption ability.”
“…Meaning?”
“When the guys from the Undead Army pick up kittens or puppies, I, and the other living beings, are the ones who have to take care of them.”
“…Um, not that I have any room to talk, but is the Fourth Army really that… lax?”
“As long as it doesn’t interfere with our military duties. And besides, I’m a healer, though a weak one, and I don’t need to sleep, and I’ve taken care of unweaned kittens before.”
Was the petting she was doing a necessary part of the healing magic—or was she just petting them?
“But if I use healing magic continuously, it’s quite draining. You’ll have to supply me with mana.”
“Of course.”
If only I could use healing magic myself. But healing magic was actually quite an advanced spell. Unlike offensive magic, which could be used by simply throwing mana at something, healing magic, which required you to carefully channel mana into a person to enhance their natural healing abilities, was difficult, from establishing a mana transmission line to controlling the mana. After all, if you sent too much mana, it was the same as an attack spell.
Unlike offensive magic, there was a demand for it in peacetime, so healers were in high demand. For a healer who could treat serious injuries, the phrase ‘trouble finding a job’ meant ‘too many options.’ Even a healer like Rebecca, who could only treat minor injuries, was useful for stopping bleeding, when combined with proper first aid, and that small difference could be the difference between life and death. Especially for a small animal like a kitten, that small difference was even more important than for a human.
“…As expected of a veteran.”
“I’ve lived a long time.”
She was undoubtedly a skilled mage, and she was also highly trusted by the other armies and had a wide range of knowledge. She was a commander type, but she could also fight on the front lines, and she could contribute to the development of new spells and magic items. And on top of that, she could take care of kittens. She was flawless.
Her youthful appearance, combined with the small animals, was irresistibly cute.
Rebecca looked at Liz.
“Liz, you seem to have brought back a strange souvenir. Did you have a good date?”
“…Well, yes.” Liz blushed and nodded.
Rebecca smiled.
“Then that’s good.”
“…You’re not going to ask me?”
She tilted her head.
“Is there a need to?”
“No.”
As expected of Rebecca. She understood me so well.
For a while after that, I saw Rebecca in the parlor more often. The basement laboratory was too dangerous for the kittens. This room was spacious enough, and the mother cat could relax, so it was perfect.
I decided not to worry about the claw marks the kittens, who couldn’t yet retract their claws properly, were leaving on the furniture.
I had one of the Barghests on guard duty. Of course, to make sure the kittens didn’t get into any trouble.
While there was a huge difference in their combat abilities, neither the kittens nor the mother cat seemed to be afraid of the Black Hound Barghest, and I often saw the mother cat, who had left the care of her kittens to Rebecca, relaxing, using the Barghest as a blanket. Since I saw her licking and grooming the kittens, it wasn’t a case of abandonment, but of division of labor.
I was doting on Rebecca, who had a cat on her lap, by having her on my lap, while supplying her with mana, but I was told that too much touching would stress them out, so I was rarely allowed to pet the kittens. And the mother cat wouldn’t let me touch her at all.
But the Barghests, as if in competition, were being more affectionate than usual, so the overall fluffiness of my daily life was a plus.
They were also looking for a new owner for them.
The Lord of Disease’s mansion was not a suitable place for kittens—or any animal, for that matter. There was always the possibility of a battle, and about fifty death knights were stationed here at all times. And it wasn’t uncommon for the one who could take care of them to be away.
So, it was probably best to let them go as soon as possible.
A loving hand could be a source of stress for an animal. I knew that.
I had extended my hand to save them, to make them happy. Not to let them die, not to make them unhappy. That, at least, I had to get right.
So, the fact that the right choice was a little sad… couldn’t be helped.
I decided to get some attention from Liz later, when the time was right.
