NOVEL NEXT Chapter 14
"Ka... Ichi. I believe this room will be safe until the succession rights matter is settled. I'll prepare the room, so please rest in the servants' quarters."
Mary spoke without looking at Kaito's face while considering the placement of the table, bed, and closet in the room.
While her words about letting her servant rest were partly for Kaito's sake, since Diana and Alcaiz were listening, she had to follow through with it.
From his perspective, being in the same room would be more reassuring and restful than being in separate rooms, especially since he was concerned about Mary's safety.
“While you could tell her that directly, it's better to head to the servants' quarters now. It should give you a chance to learn more about the mansion. There's no guarantee you'll be able to move freely. Rather, won't you be restricted?"
Shinigami responded to Kaito's transparent thoughts.
The assumption that Kaito's movements would be restricted was based on the expectation that he would constantly act alongside Mary.
It was natural for servants to always be by their magicians' side when moving about. Even acting alone would only be on their master's orders.
At a time like this, he needed to act rather than rest.
"What about exchanging information with other servants? Couldn't you learn what kind of people their masters are?"
"...Understood. I'll take my leave until then. In exchange, Mary-sama, please stay in your room until I come to get you. Don't let anyone in, no matter who they are. If you're in danger, call me immediately. You haven't forgotten the bell, have you?"
"Of course not. The same goes for you. Don't forget to ring the bell if danger approaches. This is absolute."
When Mary took out the bell from her bag and rang it, as if in resonance, a similar bell sound came from the pocket of Kaito's tailcoat.
Magicians develop magic and tools that use magical power. The bells that Kaito and Mary held were a pair—when one rang, the other rang in response.
The two hadn't formed a life contract. Learning of injuries after the fact would be too late. It was a tool for quickly alerting them when the master was in danger.
Whether this would be judged as using magic was unclear.
"...Yes. However, when I ring it, it will be three times... no more, no less. If it's a different number of rings, please assume it's someone else, not me."
Kaito bowed to Mary and left the room.
"Hard to say which one is more overprotective. Conversely, I suspect neither of you would ring the bell no matter what happens. That seems to be your intention."
Kaito didn't deny it. With his thoughts being read, he couldn't lie to Shinigami.
In reality, would calling for Mary's help even make it in time? If a magician got serious, they could kill a servant instantly.
Moreover, if Kaito died, this pseudo-world would end.
"You're more dangerous than she is. With a life contract in place, targeting the magician first would only result in the servant taking the hit instead. It might unnecessarily put you under suspicion. Normally, one would target the servant first. Normally."
Kaito and Mary had dissolved their life contract. Without knowing this, one would target Kaito first. But if someone knew this information, it would be a different story. His caution was understandable.
"If your intervention causes changes to events, it would likely be after Rei finishes her explanation. In fact, it seems Mary and the others gathered in the dining room at twenty hundred hours and received the explanation. Until then, it appears no one left their rooms."