Newbie's Hope (Part 1)
One month before Sisilia returned to the capital.
"What’s that?"
"It’s a Windsor Knights cape—"
"He looks too green to be a knight."
Ruby managed to enter the capital safely. The first sight of Terezia was a city so stunningly beautiful it took her breath away. She’d traveled across Europe during her idol days, but she’d never seen anything like this. The buildings followed European architectural styles, but the objects defying the laws of physics everywhere made it unmistakably alien. Magic, and people who looked like they’d leaped straight out of a game screen.
They’re all so pretty... and handsome.
Especially tall. At 170cm, Ruby saw hardly anyone shorter than her.
This really is another world.
Only now did Ruby truly grasp that the fairy-tale story of being isekai’d into a game was real. A royal knight’s words suddenly came back to her.
"With a face like that, you wouldn't need to hide it, right?"
It hadn’t been a joke—he’d meant it sincerely. Even Ruby could see she was just average here.
And I’m not special here. Maybe unique, but not special.
How long had it been? Walking crowded streets without anyone recognizing her. Without the hellish panic attacks hitting. Here, Ruby could stand normally. Walk casually. No stigma as the mastermind behind a horrific incident. No need to explain herself.
"……Ah."
And she realized it. She, who’d always stared at the ground in crowds, was now looking straight ahead with her head held high.
"Heehee."
For some reason, she couldn’t stop smiling.
"……."
Then Ruby noticed the man blocking her path. He looked early thirties, but even at first glance, she thought, Noble? Just standing there staring gave off immense pressure. The unique aura of someone high up.
"Chiron is taking an interest in some weirdo."
"That his interested face?"
"Look close. His eyes are 1mm narrower than usual. That’s his appraising look."
Passersby whispered. Ruby tensed and met the man’s gaze.
D-Did I look like a weirdo?
Come to think of it, grinning in rags on the street probably looked unhinged.
"Um, excuse me…… I’m not a weirdo."
Ruby mustered her courage. But the man showed no reaction.
"Sir……?"
Only after a moment did she notice his eyes on her cape. He suddenly crouched, inspecting the hem. Ruby’s gaze followed.
Something was written on the cape’s lining.
> _ < !
W-what’s this? She didn’t know the meaning, but it was some cute emoticon.
"……Follow me."
"Y-yes? Okay."
Ruby trailed after Chiron like a duckling. Her imagination ran wild. Who is this guy? Dark boss…? Handsome villain type?
But Chiron led her to a grand mansion. As she stood dazed, he nodded toward it. Maids on both sides bowed deeply.
Noble for sure. Black幕 boss maybe?
"Do you like tea?"
"Y-yes……."
Ruby blinked. In a neat reception room, they sat across a table.
Not a black幕 after all…
Chiron’s vibe screamed ruthless mafia don, but the mansion felt warm. A bit stark from minimal decor, but cozy. Ruby relaxed a little.
Then Chiron nodded at the cape.
"That."
"Yes, yep."
"It’s my daughter’s cape."
"Ah……!"
Ruby’s eyes widened.
Sisilia’s dad. The NPC’s father.
Sisilia was a key figure even in Another World. Famous for spitting out expensive items with a bit of favor. Nicknamed the "vending machine"—item dispenser, quest dispenser. Press the button, get anything. But sometimes a knife flew out, so caution was key.
Either way, Sisilia’s a VIP NPC here too.
As an Another World veteran, Ruby grasped the gravity.
To survive here, cozy up to Sisilia.
She swallowed hard.
"She saved me. It was super dangerous."
"……."
"If she hadn’t shown up then, I……"
Would’ve actually died.
Said to build favor, but the more she spoke, the more grateful Ruby felt.
"I’m so thankful. Don’t know how to repay her."
"Tell her yourself."
Ruby smiled awkwardly, fiddling with her teacup.
"Can I? I just got here, don’t know much—but I know she’s not someone I can just chat up."
"Sisilia doesn’t care about that."
Chiron shared simple stories. While learning etiquette, she’d seen a commoner kid fall in filthy water and jumped in without hesitation. Horrified etiquette teacher saw mud-caked Sisilia; she’d asked, What’s etiquette for if not this?—shutting him up. Telling it, Chiron seemed oddly pleased.
Ruby reacted sincerely. She’s so kind and sweet—Someone who cherishes the weak is cool—
Chiron’s tales grew longer, endless. Ruby smiled brightly.
"You’ve raised such a proud daughter."
"……."
But Chiron didn’t look pleased. Just stared blankly.
"……."
For nearly five minutes. Ruby sweated, flustered.
Did I say something wrong…? Or bad relationship with his daughter?
Then he beckoned the maid behind him.
"Mari. Bring it."
"But Master."
"Why?"
"It’s Miss’s favorite cookie."
"A little’s fine."
"Do you know how much ducal manpower went into getting those?"
"……That hard to get?"
"From the Empire. Bianca Eisenberg herself pocketed them unbroken."
Chiron stared silently, then said one thing.
"Bring it. We have a guest to entertain."
"……Since when do you care? How good is your mood?"
Mood... good? I didn’t notice.
Ruby swallowed. His blank face was terrifyingly stoic.
"Mari."
"……Yes. Fine. If Miss gets mad, not my fault."
Chiron sipped tea wordlessly. Soon Mari brought cookies on a fancy plate.
"C-can I really eat something this precious?"
Ruby smiled awkwardly; Chiron replied flatly.
"Doesn’t matter."
"Then…… thank you. I’ll partake."
Ruby nibbled a chocolate chip cookie cautiously.
……Just a normal cookie.
"Indeed, a taste even Sisilia would marvel at."
"Told you. If she cries, not my problem."
Chiron flinched—the first expression Ruby caught.
"That pricey?"
"She rations half, saves for tomorrow."
"Buy cookies freely. A knight can’t skimp on food."
"Miss’s dessert budget’s already 50 gold."
"……How does one eat to rack that up?"
"She’s high-maintenance. Picky eater too."
Chiron sighed. Ruby’s throat tightened. 50 gold? Didn’t know the value, but enough to shock this mansion’s master.
"Mastered your Aura?"
"St-star Aura."
"Tricky to manifest. What abilities?"
"……I see star halos on people. So far, just distinguish demons."
Mari’s eyes widened listening. Demon detection was hugely useful. Alone, Ruby was invaluable.
"What star do I have?"
Staring at Chiron’s halo, Ruby flinched, whispered.
"Pretty black star."
Chiron’s was black, but sparkling. Unlike the dull black from tutorial folks.
"Fine Aura you’ve got."
Chiron nodded slowly.
"Future plans?"
"Going forward……."
Ruby bowed weakly.
"No idea. What to do, what’ll happen."
"Work here."
Chiron said flatly.
"Huh?"
"I’ll teach you the sword."
Chiron now headed the academy—for users, but they’d scattered unexpectedly. Until numbers filled, it’d take nobles. Ruby was the first found user. Time till then—he wanted her grown. If she put in effort.
She’s willing. No sword talent, but Aura gift.
Thus—Ruby got hired as temp maid at Chiron’s mansion. Mostly cleaning, laundry—tough, but cute uniform satisfied her.
Like maid café part-time.
Off at 6pm, she trained sword hard.
"No sword talent, but born to wield Aura."
Chiron diagnosed quick. She’d been enjoying lessons; "no talent" stung.
"Don’t mind. Master judges by Miss."
"Miss…… Sisilia?"
"Yes. You’re compared to a once-in-history genius."
"What age beat adult men?"
"From first lessons, beat most knights."
"……Impossible?"
"But it’s Miss."
"Ah."
She gleaned info from fellow maids. Ruby held hope. Sisilia seemed "outlier" here too.
"An honor to meet again, Lady."
A month in, routine set. Then—faced returning Sisilia from mission.
Still shines like first sight— Ruby startled, grabbed skirt, bowed.
"W-welcome home, Miss. I’m the new hire……"
Before Ruby finished, Sisilia knelt one knee, took her hand. Kissed lightly, licked.
"Still not cooled off, huh."
Ruby’s brain blanked. Only after ages:
"……Yes?"