Chapter 636: A Talent for Stealth

Apparently, long-distance conversation through a spirit’s blessing also picked up the sounds in one’s surroundings. We would have to be mindful of where we used it.

“It seems Cain can hear us perfectly clearly.”

“Father?! Erm, what in the world is…”

“It would take a long time to explain everything, so I shall give you the short version…”

Father explained matters to Brother Cain and Sister-in-law Mica in my place. I didn’t know whether the two of them, who were at the academy in the royal capital, truly understood, but flower patterns had actually appeared on the backs of their hands. They had little choice but to believe us.

“I see. In that case, you should have told us beforehand… No, I suppose that would have been impossible. None of you could have expected this to happen.”

“I shall send a letter explaining everything in detail. Be sure to show it to Mica as well.”

“Understood.”

“By the way, how are things at the academy?”

And so we spent some time talking with Brother Cain and Sister-in-law Mica.

Mother was delighted to hear the voices of family members who lived so far away. She had never said so aloud, but she must have been worried about them.

That was hardly surprising. Whenever Mother sent Brother Cain a letter, his reply was invariably late. He always claimed that he had forgotten, but I suspected he simply found writing a nuisance. Mother could see through him too, so she must have been deeply dissatisfied.

From now on, Mother’s fist-phone calls might arrive every day. Good luck, Brother Cain.

“Brother Julius, I want to try it too!”

“Kyuu!”

“Then shall we practise?”

Of course. The two of them wanted to test their new ability as well. But just as I began to teach them, every other member of the family gathered around us.

“Teach us too. I believe I understand the general method, but it would be best to learn directly from you, Julius.”

“Yes, I agree. Julius is closest to the spirits, so he’s the best person to teach us. And Alex, please give me the academy timetable. It would be dreadful if it had changed since I attended.”

Thus, I ended up teaching the entire family how to use the fist phone. We discussed what to call the ability, but reached no conclusion. Sister-in-law Daniela therefore agreed to contact the royal capital and investigate whether anything similar had existed in the past. It appeared that she intended to inform His Majesty at the same time.

This would only increase House Heine’s value even further. Many people would want the power to converse with someone far away. Perhaps it was finally time to create a magic tool capable of long-distance conversation.

If I limited it to communication between specific paired tools, like the rings Lady Fabienne and I wore, it should be manageable. The tools would lack versatility, but they were unlikely to cause widespread chaos. Ah, my stomach was beginning to hurt. I would leave this subject alone until His Majesty replied.

After trying various things, we discovered that conversation was impossible when the recipient didn’t wish to speak. In other words, one could reject an incoming call. That meant it would be safe even when someone was somewhere they couldn’t talk. Mother was uncertain whether she should tell Brother Cain about that feature, though.

Only the gods knew what she would decide.

Once everyone had finished testing the ability, we dispersed. Brother Alex and Sister-in-law Daniela hurried out of the estate. They had work at the Heine Trading Company, after all. We had all gone on what was ostensibly a clover-gathering trip the previous day, so their work had probably piled up.

Father likewise hurried from the salon. Mother appeared to be staying there to write her letter. Judging from the way she rested a hand against her head and frowned in thought, she was still wrestling with her decision. Personally, I wanted her to tell Brother Cain, if only to protect his privacy.

“That unexpected business took quite some time, but I still intend to make chocolate today as planned.”

“A new sweet? I can’t wait.”

“Kyuu.”

“Mira?! When did you start following us? I didn’t notice you at all.”

Did Mira possess a talent for stealth? Or was this sheer obsession with sweet treats? Perhaps they had sensed something, because they had apparently followed us without allowing anyone to notice. I could hardly turn Mira away now, so I decided to bring them along.

What if it failed? I had wanted to keep the attempt secret because I hated the thought of disappointing everyone.

After asking Nero to bring the cacao fruit, we reached the kitchen. At this hour, everyone should have had a little time to spare. If I was going to ask for their help, this was my chance.

“Head Chef, there’s something I would like you to make.”

“Lord Julius. What might that be? Please ask anything of me.”

I showed the smiling head chef the chocolate-making process chart I had written the previous night. He looked rather startled when he saw it. The process involved roasting, crushing and kneading the ingredients endlessly, so his reaction was understandable. Even so, I believed the result would be worth the effort.

“This substance called chocolate requires a remarkably elaborate process.”

“It does. Perhaps that’s why no one has ever thought to make it. Naturally, I shall help as well. If it proves popular, I promise to create a magic tool designed specifically for chocolate production.”

“Understood. Then let us begin at once.”

Lady Fabienne’s eyes widened at my declaration that I would create another magic tool. Her expression seemed to ask whether I truly intended to go that far.

I did. The moment Lady Fabienne tasted a single bite of chocolate, she would undoubtedly want more. I absolutely couldn’t allow this to fail.