Chapter 80
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: Ruby's Crisis (1)
This was another unexpected turn of events.
I couldn't bring myself to tell everyone, so I quietly summoned only Captain Yuren, Cluna, and Bayard. To Clara and Helia, I entrusted them with watching over Ruby.
Glancing out the window to confirm Ruby, Clara, and Helia diligently sparring in the inner courtyard, I turned back. The women I'd called had arrived.
Captain Yuren and Cluna went without saying, but Bayard could also be considered a high-ranking member of the Royal Knights. That was why I'd summoned these three. Looking at them, I said,
"You've finally arrived."
"What is this unexpected problem?"
"Hoh, has something happened with the beastkin again...?"
"No, it's not that."
The twelve tribes had been extremely quiet lately. In fact, they were reportedly working to maintain peace with other races, including the elves and beastkin. But the problem had arisen elsewhere.
"I thought everything had been resolved smoothly. But... it seems there was still a loose end."
"A loose end...? What do you mean?"
"I'll explain."
Captain Yuren, who had been listening silently by my side, stepped forward. Cluna and Bayard's gazes focused on her. She pulled a parchment from her bosom.
"This letter is from the Dwarf Principality."
"The Dwarf Principality?"
"B-But I thought the issue was settled..."
"It was—until this letter arrived."
"What exactly does the letter say?"
"Ballack Ruby has escaped."
Ballack Ruby. The owner of Ruby, one of the four jewels supporting the Dwarf Principality—and Ruby's father from the Royal Knights. Thinking about it, something had felt off.
Ruby was one of the four jewels upholding the Dwarf Principality, which meant it was her family name. In other words, she only had a surname, no given name. What could that signify?
One of two possibilities: she was never given a name from the start, or she had discarded it. It sure as hell wasn't something ridiculous like Ruby Ruby. Arms crossed, I clicked my tongue.
"So he broke out of the Dwarf Principality's tight security."
"Is that even possible?"
"Not for an ordinary dwarf."
"You mean..."
"Yes. As of now... Ballack Ruby has turned into a demonic beast."
Demonic beasts—creatures corrupted into monsters by borrowing power from the demon race. There were rare cases like the doppelganger I'd encountered before that became full demons, but usually, they devolved into demonic beasts.
"They're investigating in the principality how he even made contact with demons."
"He was probably in touch with them from the beginning."
"Likely."
"Th-Then that means he hid the contract..."
"......"
Captain Yuren and Cluna aside, even Bayard was a veteran without question. With these three pooling their heads, piecing it together wouldn't be hard.
And what was I doing? Just watching. Why butt in when smart, experienced folks were handling it? As long as I didn't mess things up, that was a win.
"What do you think, Captain?"
"Mm! I'd like to hear the captain's thoughts too."
"I-It's important."
And now I was paying the price in real time. Damn it, I hadn't understood a single thing from start to finish, so my brain felt like it was smoking as I racked it desperately.
"No matter the plan, we first need to figure out what Ballack Ruby is after."
"Well said. And that... is probably Ruby."
"Why do you think that?"
"A hunch. A dragon's hunch."
"W-Well, when you put it that way, we can't ignore it."
Thankfully, it didn't derail the conversation. They smoothly incorporated my input, letting me breathe a sigh of relief. Why focus on me?
Just handle it among yourselves, please. I'm no help at all. Lost in that thought, I absentmindedly glanced out the window—and spotted something in the sky.
At first, I thought it was an eagle. But it was far too large for that. About the size of a small airship from another game. Clearly no ordinary beast.
It plummeted from the sky at tremendous speed. Its target was singular: Ruby, training in the inner courtyard. The moment I registered it, I instinctively stopped time.
The instant my index and middle fingers touched, all color around me drained to gray, and motion halted. That's when I saw it—Ruby snagged in its talons.
If I let this go, it'd carry her off beyond the sky. No way to pursue. Captain Yuren could manage it, but at great cost to her.
Even reverting to her true form strained her since the heart incident. So unless absolutely necessary, I'd forbidden her from transforming.
Anyway, I didn't want to rely on her true form for this. I'd handle it myself. First, I grabbed my sword and raced down the stairs to the inner courtyard.
"Jumping out the window would've been ideal...!!!"
But breaking my legs would ruin everything! So I took the safe route via stairs. That's normal, right? Reaching the courtyard, I swiftly drew my sword and swung down with all my might.
As expected.
My blade didn't sever the demonic beast's foot. At least the teeth marks showed it was better off than that gourmet demoness from before. So, only one option.
"Good thing this is my home turf."
It looked like another grueling fight was about to start, but this was Lionheart Fortress. I had far more resources available now than before. What did that mean?
I fetched tools from the storehouse in the corner of the courtyard. Among them was a saw for cutting wood. This should slice through the ankle easily.
Of course, I'd have to put it back after.
So it looks like I severed it with skill.
"Come to think of it, Ruby chases Clara around a lot."
It was just a remark to shift attention. But half-serious too. To Helia, Ruby came off as persistently tailing someone she liked.
"What nonsense is that?!"
"Yeah! I'm really gonna get mad?!"
"Isn't it obvious?"
Normally, she'd back off. But Helia had been tasked by Teacher: keep Ruby's focus here as much as possible. No holds barred.
Yet it was genuine. Ruby and Clara bickered often but were always together—because Ruby trailed Clara.
She'd hooked her properly. Ruby desperately denied it. Clara beside her did the same. Hate it that much? Right then—
"......What?!"
Of the three, only Helia sensed its presence. Suddenly, talons from the sky snatched Ruby. Her reaction was a beat slow.
Eagle or whatever, she didn't know. But she couldn't let it go. Teacher would be sad. As she reached for her sword—
Suddenly, the ankle gripping Ruby gushed blood and severed. Ruby broke free. Clara rushed to her.
"Ruby! You okay?!"
"I-I'm fine."
"What the hell was that?!"
"Focus. It's not over."
At Helia's cool words, Clara and Ruby snapped to and drew weapons. Before them stood a man. Seeing his reliable back, Helia smiled.
As expected of Teacher.
The only one among those gathered to react. It proved his skill was superior. Might seem like rose-tinted glasses to others.
Clara and Ruby thought similarly. Yuren, Cluna, and Bayard were arriving late to the courtyard. Ruby clutched her pounding chest.
'I didn't notice until it grabbed me?!'
It hadn't been that fast. Helia had reacted, after all. But the real terror was its presence—or lack thereof. It was right there, yet...
Like a ghost, utterly silent. Look away, and it felt like nothing was there. That insane dissonance tormented her mind.
Probably why those three hadn't reacted. But how had the captain? A fleeting doubt, then Ruby smirked and dismissed it.
She's the captain, after all.
Nothing she did surprised anymore.