Chapter 11
Chapter 11
----------------------------------------------------------------- Translator: penny Chapter: 11 Chapter Title: Uncle's Arrival ----------------------------------------------------------------- The stairs seemed to descend endlessly, with no telling how far down they were meant to go. Just as Billy, having trudged down for what felt like ages, stepped into the underground chamber...
"You there!"
A knight standing guard in what looked like an underground prison bellowed at someone. Billy, having completely masked his presence, strode toward the source of the voice with wide steps.
"How long do you think it'll take to hit the quota like that? You think that'll help the Family Head?!"
Outside the prison bars shrouded in dark energy, a burly knight berated a beastkin who was ceaselessly moving inside, slamming the bars with terrifying force.
"S-Sorry... I'll go faster!"
As the tense beastkin picked up the pace, the knight clicked his tongue and walked away. What a mess. Illegal magical exploitation—he'd only heard about it before, but seeing it firsthand made his stomach churn. Spotting a few youthful faces here and there only deepened his disgust. They scoured slave markets with mages to find beastkin with magical power, dragged them back to the estate, and brainwashed them into endless labor. This was how the Horse Family had exploited those beastkin all along. The slaves, eroded by the brainwashing that seeped in as naturally as breathing, churned out expensive magical items nonstop as "repayment" for their meager food and living conditions. The Zebra Territory's fame in magic owed much to their contributions. Having confirmed the scene, Billy dispelled the concealment magic. His figure suddenly appeared right in the midst of the knights and mages monitoring the slaves.
"Who are you?!"
"You don't need to know."
It was time to round up these criminals and give them a proper thrashing.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Jeb, who had shown up at midday, showed no signs of leaving anytime soon. The sky was already starting to turn red, but the communication orb carried by Jeb's aide remained silent. Something should've happened by now. Why no word? She'd assumed someone from the trashed mansion would contact Jeb. With nothing happening, she began to worry the mage might have botched the job.
"Haha, I hope I haven't overstayed my welcome."
After yapping away for hours glued to his seat, he finally stood.
"Nah, it's fine." Since the Magic Tower's about to come nab you.Probably... He'd reported the magic-related crime directly via the communication orb he'd snagged from the Tower—perfect for reaching them. After a brief pause, the mage had agreed to investigate. They'd even promised to send a mage to the Horse estate first to check Ed's mana. That mage should arrive any minute now, then head here to wrap things up. Sitting in the drawing room all day just to stall Jeb—something she'd have bolted from ages ago—had her fidgeting like mad. She'd told Ramen she'd see him off personally. As the two emerged from the main building, she spotted Ed waiting in a corner of the garden. Ed! Her steps quickened with joy, but then...
⚙ CHOICE SYSTEM ⚙
1. Aren't you supposed to be working? What are you doing here? 2. Are you making your master wait while you sit? Time to reteach some manners. 3. A kid wandering the garden this late? Get inside, now. It seemed to faintly reflect her concern for Ed... sort of.
"A kid wandering the garden this late? Get inside, now."
She tried to soften her tone as much as possible, but it came out neither gentle nor kind.
"Oh? Lady Lami!"
Even with her prickly words, Ed greeted her with a smile—a sight so touching she wanted to scoop him up right then. But before she could, the zebra stepped forward, planting himself in front of Ed. He snorted like a horse, then sneered mockingly.
"Even if you follow her around like this, she'll ditch you when it comes time to marry. I have zero intention of taking a wolf back to Horse lands. When nobles speak, slaves climb on their own."
What the hell was that? Did he think it was okay to talk to Ed like that because he'd overheard her? Or was he just scum to begin with? Either way— "How vulgar. Can't even listen."
Her temper flared, and informal speech slipped out unbidden. Whatever—who cared? She'd never bothered with image control anyway. Might as well go all out.
"Pardon? What did you say?"
"I..."
She meant to say not to speak carelessly to the child she cherished, but her throat seized up, words failing her.
⚙ CHOICE SYSTEM ⚙
Huh? Nephew? His sudden words short-circuited her brain. She quickly alternated glances between Ed and the newcomer. The original story hadn't detailed the Rub Family's appearances beyond Ed, so she couldn't recall theirs. But that man's sharp, upturned eyes matched Ed's round ones with their slight lift at the corners; the perfectly sculpted straight nose; the clean lips; the ideal jawline... Comparing feature by feature, an uneasy certainty settled in. Anyone could see the blood relation...! So he's Ed's uncle? No way... No way the mage from the Tower was him. Nah. "Save the reunion for later. Jeb Horse, you're coming with me to the Magic Tower." He is! Was Ed's uncle a Magic Tower mage? The original hadn't covered that. It focused on Ed and the heroine, so no deep dives on the uncle. The story started after Ed had grown up at the estate and entered the Tower. Her body stiffened. She'd tried protecting Ed, but the choice system limited her. What if he nitpicked that and razed the place? With a beastkin who might kill her standing there, her heart pounded in tension. Jeb looked utterly flustered as the man casually dropped "Magic Tower." "From the Magic Tower?" "Obvious, right?" Jeb's eyes darted, tense at the mention. Probably wondering why the Tower sought him. "Wh-Why me...?" Convinced the man was a Tower mage, his attitude turned obsequious fast. "You'll find out when you get there." The man's lips curved attractively. He traced a small circle in the air with his finger. A black ring formed, expanding until large enough for a person to pass through easily. Thwack! He kicked the zebra's back, sending him through the black ring. A refreshing thrill mixed with a chill ran through her as a monster's roar echoed from beyond. Grrraaawr! "Wh-Where is this...? Wait, what are you—?!" "Punishment for calling my nephew slave trash." Once through, he couldn't return on his own—the zebra flailed wildly in the air. "Forest of Darkness—heard of it? Survive and crawl to the Tower. You'll learn everything then." With Jeb's tearing scream, the black ring vanished. Task complete, the man's gaze shifted to Ed, who had been glued to her side. "Mister, who are you?" Ed clutched her dress hem, voice wary. It reminded her of his first day at the estate. The man, who hadn't seen Ed since infancy yet recognized him instantly, took a step forward. Step. Ed flinched back a step. After a couple repeats, the man stopped advancing. "Strange. Blood should pull you in." Gazing at his nephew, he tilted his head genuinely puzzled. He ran a hand through his neatly slicked-back hair—absurdly heart-thumping. "I don't have family." Still wary in look and tone. Having been alone since young, he figured no family existed. Ed, you might have family! She bit her lip, screaming it inwardly, when his gaze turned to her. "Ah, sorry for the late intro. I'm Billy Rub, that kid's uncle." Unlike his smile to Jeb, this was warm. His large, thick hand extended toward her. A wolf's hand. Not a child's like Ed's, but a grown man's. Gulp. Her trembling hand met his—a vibration like an earthquake. Ed's grip on her dress had her shaking already; now it intensified. She racked her brain for a calm, polite response. "Ah, I see." But her fear-fried brain spat out whatever. "Yes, that's right." He replied to her curtness with that captivating smile. This isn't it. Doom loomed already. Hands parted; she tried leading him inside to explain. "Let's talk indoors." Couldn't she be nicer?! She hadn't realized facing a beastkin could glitch her so hard under stress. The fear of a young wolf pup wasn't real fear. This towering man, looming over her, exuded threat just standing there—carnivore or not. Squeak. Like a broken machine, she awkwardly turned toward the annex. "I won't eat you." A chuckling voice came from right beside her. "Y-Yes?" Her nerves screamed danger. Head snapping around in shock at the bombshell, she met his eyes dead-on. Unlike her tension, he'd been relaxed throughout. Even as a guest, he overtook her stride. "Loosen up. You too, nephew." A faint smile played on his profile as he walked ahead, grinning. Loosen up...How?! She trailed far behind his long strides, as slow as possible. Of course, Ed stuck close, still wary of his uncle.