Chapter 3

"Oh, it's Sable."

He is a house cat fairy who guards the Eisenburg Duke's family, protecting them from all sorts of disasters for many years. Throughout the long history, epidemics have spread multiple times. The fact that the members of the Eisenburg Duke's family were able to continue making medicine without getting infected was thanks to Sable's protection. He is not a member of the Eisenburg Duke's family but is bound to the house by a contract, so he continues to stay even when the head of the family changes.

Sable descended to my feet and rubbed his forehead against my leg, as if asking to be petted. I stroked him, expressing my gratitude for all the care he had given me.

"Beatrix, isn't this old bag different from the one you usually take on your travels? What happened? Did the stingy head of the family take it away from you?"

"No, that's not it. I'm leaving this one here."

As I answered, Sable seemed to sense something and suddenly looked up at me.

"Are you, by any chance, finally fed up with the head of the family and running away from home?"

"No, I'm not running away. I've been kicked out."

"Huh!?"

Sable's eyes widened, and he looked at me as if he couldn't believe it.

"Wait. Let me confirm this. You didn't abandon the head of the family, but the head of the family dismissed you?"

"Yes, that's right."

"B... Bastard! That man is a genuine fool!"

Unfortunately, I can't deny that. I had hoped that at least the woman he chose to replace me would be a capable pharmacist, but it turned out to be Heidi, who had the lowest grades in the magic school. There's no hope for her to manage as the Duchess.

"The long tradition and history of the Eisenburg Duke's family have finally come to an end."

"I'll refrain from commenting on that."

I am now completely unrelated to the main family. My parents passed away when I was twelve, and since then, I was raised by my grandfather. So, I don't have a home to return to. I need to think about what to do next.

"What are you going to do now?"

"For now, I plan to take the divorce papers to the office and have them accepted."

"I see."

I stood up and bowed to Sable.

"Thank you for everything."

"Don't worry about it. We're friends, aren't we?"

I stroked Sable's head one more time and turned to leave. Saying goodbye to Sable, whom I had known since childhood, was painful. The thought of never seeing him again made my chest tighten. I felt a lump in my throat, but I held back the tears. I didn't want anyone to see me crying as I left the Eisenburg Duke's mansion.

As I took a step forward, a voice called out from behind.

"Wait!"

"We're coming with you!"

"Don't leave us behind!"

I turned around to see Muku, Moko, and Mofu, the raccoon fairy sisters who worked as medicine beasts for the Eisenburg Duke's family.

Medicine beasts are intelligent familiars that help with gathering herbs and mixing potions. They are called medicine beasts out of respect, as they serve as the hands and feet of pharmacists. Muku, Moko, and Mofu have been with the Eisenburg Duke's family for about a hundred years as guest medicine beasts. They don't have a contract with anyone and help with the mixing in exchange for magic gems, which serve as their food. They are invaluable to the Eisenburg Duke's family, having been involved in potion-making for a century.

"Are you serious, Muku, Moko, Mofu? You're really coming with me?"

"Of course."

"We've always decided to stay with you."

"Thank you, everyone."

I put down my bag, squatted down, and opened my arms. Muku, Moko, and Mofu jumped into my embrace. Holding their soft, fluffy bodies made me feel less sad about leaving.

"I'm so happy...!"

I was overwhelmed with joy, but then I realized a problem. It was about how to provide the magic gems that Muku, Moko, and Mofu eat. Magic gems, which contain magical power, are quite expensive, costing ten thousand gilders per meal. My personal wealth isn't enough to support them adequately.

"Is something wrong?"

"Are you worried about something?"

"Tell us!"

"Well, it's a bit difficult to say, but I don't have enough income to feed you properly right now."

The raccoon fairy sisters tilted their heads in the same direction and then floated three magic circles above their heads. These were contracts to become my personal medicine beasts.

"You shouldn't do that! It's too easy to make such a contract!"

Even if I told them to put them away, the raccoon fairy sisters shook their heads.

"Once we're contracted, we don't need magic gems anymore."

"We'll take a little of your magic power."

"Don't worry."

Personal contracts are disadvantageous for medicine beasts. In exchange for a small amount of magic power, they serve for life. That's why they have been guest medicine beasts, not contracting with anyone.

"But it's already a great help just to have you with me. I didn't expect you to make a contract."

I had thought that if I could secure enough income, I would come back for them. I never imagined they would offer a contract.

"We want to contract with you, Beatrix."

"Please take us with you."

"Please!"

The raccoon fairy sisters clasped their hands and pleaded earnestly. I was unsure what to do, but Sable encouraged me.

"Hey, Beatrix. Take them with you. If you leave them here, the foolish head of the family might mistreat them."

I couldn't allow such a thing to happen. I couldn't bear the thought of Eugen using Muku, Moko, and Mofu as he pleased.

"Are you sure, Muku, Moko, Mofu?"

When I asked, they all nodded simultaneously.

"If that's the case, I'll be grateful for your help."

I touched their magic circles, and they disappeared with a snap. The contract was successfully formed.

"Yay!"

"Yay!"

"We're so happy!"

Muku, Moko, and Mofu stood on their hind legs and started to dance, looking incredibly cute.

"Beatrix, it seems there's someone else who wants to contract with you."

"Huh?"

A large shadow passed over my head. A beautiful white幻兽, the griffin, appeared. She is also a guest medicine beast of the Eisenburg Duke's family, and her name is Grichan.

"Grichan!?"

She usually doesn't come unless called. This is the first time she has shown herself on her own. Not only that, she descended in front of me and displayed a contract magic circle.

"Peep!"

She seemed to be chirping, urging me to make a contract.

"Are you sure about this?"

"Peep!"

Feeling that she was telling me to hurry, I touched the magic circle. The contract with Grichan was successfully formed.

"Grichan, thank you."

"Peep!"

Although I was suddenly told to divorce and was kicked out of the Eisenburg Duke's mansion, I wasn't alone. Not only Muku, Moko, and Mofu, but Grichan was also with me.

"I'll work hard to ensure we all live happily together."

With that promise, they all gently leaned against me.