Chapter 191: An Old Friend (7)

Suddenly, I recalled the memory of a human who had handed me a card, saying he wished to form a connection. I wondered if he might still be staying at the Crowded Cactus.

He did say to drop by anytime.

The man might have been using the inn as some sort of base in Grassmere. It was certainly worth checking out.

"Very well. Let’s go to the Crowded Cactus."

"Oh, really? If it’s just because I suggested it, we don’t have to go there."

"It’s not about that."

"Ah, it’s not?"

Rubia’s cheeks flushed red as she brought her hands up to cover them. I realized I might have embarrassed her unnecessarily.

"Then... I’ll go ahead."

Rubia lowered her head and walked briskly ahead of me.

Following her, I thought to myself.

Hmm...

If Yube Jinney was still staying at that inn, I wondered if I could entrust Rubia’s protection to him for a while, at least until I sealed Isaac once more. It might have seemed absurd to ask a stranger for such a favor, but Yube Jinney was a man deeply attracted to competence.

During our first meeting, Yube Jinney's eyes had sparkled with curiosity when I shared my knowledge of mechanical engineering. It didn’t even have to be about machinery. If I showed him my sword aura or magic, he would almost certainly respond favorably. Moreover, judging by my indirect interactions with him across this lifetime, he seemed a trustworthy man.

I even still had that card he’d given me. I hoped he would be there.

"Here it is!" Rubia exclaimed.

Before I realized it, we had arrived at the inn. I dropped my Stealth and pushed open the door.

Near the large central hearth, a bard was singing and playing an instrument. The inn was bustling, far from the quaint charm of the Far Elf Forest’s tavern, but it was certainly grander in scale.

An attendant greeted us. "Welcome!"

I approached the attendant and directly asked, "Is there a man named Bato Shima here?"

At that moment, I heard the sound of chairs scraping the floor.

Screech.

Three burly men rose from their seats nearby, surrounding me. Their voices brimmed with suspicion.

"And who might you be?"

"Why are you looking for him?"

Are they Yube Jinney’s assistants? This is promising.

Either the person I sought was close by, or shaking up these men would draw him out.

I decided to be blunt. "Should I call him Yube Jinney? Where is your master?"

"How dare you—!" one of the men shouted.

Despite their indignation, they all moved in a manner that suggested they were more than mere merchant bodyguards.

I taunted them. "Let’s see what you’ve got. Come at me."

"What?" one of the men snapped.

Swoosh!

Fists flew at me from three different directions. Considering their status, they weren't bad.

Slam!

I caught each man’s arm and twisted around, slamming them down to the floor.

"

Guh!

"

"

Urgh...

"

The men looked dazed, unable to comprehend what had just happened.

"

Ugh... ngh...

"

They groaned, struggling to rise and reform their stances.

"Good. Try again."

I had absorbed the martial arts from Starlight Azure Fox, Elwin Esau. For opponents like these men, this was nothing more than child’s play. I was even willing to humor them without resorting to my Fear skill.

The burliest man among them stared at me with wide eyes, his rigid jaw trembling. "A... a mage?"

I suddenly realized that my movements must have looked like magic to those with no real understanding.

"What will you do when you see actual magic?" I asked.

The man clenched his jaw as he ground his teeth. "

Grr...

"

Nonetheless, at least they had enough sense not to rush me again immediately. They merely stood there, poised and watchful.

So they’re not complete fools.

At that moment, a voice called out, "Stand down, all of you!"

From the staircase on the second floor, Yube Jinney emerged. It had been some time since I’d seen him. This time, instead of his usual green robe, he wore a fine coat adorned with elegant embroidery.

"Really, what are you doing ignoring our distinguished guest and failing to summon me?"

Yube's tone was lightly chiding, but the effect was immediate.

The three men bowed their heads and stepped back without a word.

I met Yube’s gaze and asked, "Isn’t this your first time seeing me?"

Yube’s lips curved into a faint smile. "You spared the lives of my underlings despite their insolence. How could you not be a guest of honor? Please, let me escort you to the second floor."

He sees more than I expected.

Yube Jinney seemed to have instantly understood that I could have killed all three of them in a single breath.

Rubia’s voice sounded softly in my mind.

"Do you know him? Someone from a past life?"

"He’s someone I can trust. I’ve come to ask him a favor."

"What kind of favor?"

𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"To entrust him with your protection."

"What?!"

Rubia blinked, stunned, as I led her upstairs.

"Would you be willing to introduce yourselves?" Yube asked.

In the empty room, Yube looked at us both. The guards who had been present were waiting outside the door.

Rubia still looked uncertain, as if she didn’t quite understand what was happening.

"Um... should I introduce myself? Or is it dangerous?"

"Just wait a moment."

I decided to show him first. I drew a dagger and summoned my sword aura. A blade-thin glimmer of blue gathered at the dagger’s tip.

Yube’s face turned pale. "Sword Energy!"

Even Rubia was startled.

She took a step back and pressed her back against the wall. "

Ahh!

"

I glanced at the two humans before pulling a black card adorned with a pentagram from my cloak. I had taken it from the Yublam guard captain’s secret chest.

I placed a silver bar on top of it and handed both items to Yube. "I’d like to request a task. It’s nothing too difficult."

Yube’s face, still pale from the display of Sword Energy, gradually calmed as he took a breath. "No, I couldn’t possibly accept payment from someone so skilled with Sword Energy."

"That’s..." Rubia suddenly cut in, pointing with a delicate, pale finger at the card.

Yube and I asked two questions at the same time.

"You know this?"

"Do you recognize this card?"

"Yes... This is the Star of Druze. If you turn it upside down and draw a circle around it, it’s the symbol of the Fallen Serer. Narrow it slightly, and it becomes Baha’s Faith. And if you fill it in..." Rubia launched into a quick explanation about the origins and symbolism of the pentagram before swiftly concluding, "You’re... a merchant, aren’t you? This star was most widely used by the first Merchant Guild, Hax Bergen."

"What are you saying?" I asked.

"These details are all documented in All the World’s Logos, Occult Symbolism, and Confessions of Metaphor."

I stared blankly at Rubia.

Yube also blinked in surprise, and he cleared his throat. "

Ahem...

Truly impressive. I think I know who you are, miss."

"Me?"

"Yes. You must be the eldest daughter of Count Ray, who turned the Erast Library into the grand archive of ancient tomes."

"

Ah...

" Rubia sighed.

I turned to Yube in surprise.

"My condolences for your loss," Yube said solemnly, bowing his head. "Your father purchased many volumes, saying they were meant for you."

"I... see."

"Your late father would surely rest easier knowing a man of such skill stands beside you."

"Isn’t he incredible?" Rubia said proudly, her eyes warm as she looked at me.

The memory of everything we’d been through washed over me, and I turned my head, embarrassed by her gaze.

"..."

Yube merely nodded.

"Yes. Witnessing that level of Sword Energy was truly an eye-opener. So... what is the task you wish to request?"

I pointed at Rubia. "I’d like you to watch over this woman for a while."

Rubia’s eyes widened as she looked at me.

"You mean... protect her?" Yube asked.

"Yes."

"I can certainly handle basic protection, but... if she’s been marked by an assassin’s guild, that would be problematic."

"It’s nothing like that. You won’t need to do it for long. A week—no, three days will be enough."

I had done this before. Three days would suffice to seal Isaac Bel'Homec.

"Understood. I will keep her safe here until you return."

I idly toyed with the silver bar. "You’re truly not going to take anything for this?"

Yube shook his head. "Just sparing my three men was more than enough payment. I am already grateful for your generosity."

He has an interesting perspective.

Yube didn’t merely see money in front of him. The moment he recognized a useful ally, he looked for any way to repay a debt.

I decided to take advantage of that trust. "There’s something I want to ask you. Do you know anything about Baron Chandler?"

"Baron Chandler... I believe he’s still in the East. That’s what I’ve heard."

Still?

It seemed some things remained unchanged. In truth, the majority of the future remained unaltered, except for Rena. Even the idea that her fate had changed was merely speculation, based on the Necron ledger.

Yube seemed to wield considerable influence in this inn. He promptly prepared a room for Rubia to stay in.

"I’ll see you here in a few days, then," I said to Rubia.

"Don’t worry about me! You have work to do, don’t you?"

I nodded.

Rubia’s expression was a complex mix of feelings as she looked at me. "I’m a little sad, honestly... It sounds like an exciting adventure. For now, I’d only slow you down."

I reassured her. "That’s not true."

"It is. It’s fine."

"..."

Rubia clasped my hand tightly. "I’ll wait here patiently. When you’re done—no, even if you don’t need me anymore, you have to come back."

"Of course."

"And... if you’re willing, I’d love to hear all about your adventure."

Rubia forced a small smile. I could sense the reluctance to let go in that fleeting expression.

***

I left Rubia behind and made my way to the inner castle. The city was so vast that the walk from the inn near the gates to the inner stronghold took over an hour. If I had used Sprint, I would have arrived quickly, but I didn't feel any rush. After all, I needed a single night, which was the night when Isaac Bel'Homec would invade the lord’s dream.

I approached the Grassmere inner castle, ascending the winding stairs with deliberate steps.

Clack.

Two halberds crossed in front of me, blocking my way.

"Stop right there."

"Remove your helmet and state your name."

I can’t do that.

Masquerade’s duration was ten minutes, and I didn’t intend to waste it on mere guards. It was meant for the lord. There was no need to cause a scene or instill terror here.

I chose to start a conversation instead. "Your lord... he’s ill, isn’t he?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Go and tell him. He needn’t suffer any longer."

"This is absurd..."

Seeing their confusion, I continued calmly, "Tell him that the Envoy of Malphas has come to free him from his torment."

***

The guard’s tone completely changed when he returned from the inner castle. "He... he says you may enter!"

Both guards still looked wary, but their manner was careful, even deferential.

"Good."

It made perfect sense. The lord had endured endless suffering as Isaac Bel'Homec’s slave, holding out with the faint hope that Grassmere would be saved when the Demon Kings descended. Now that the so-called Envoy of one of those Demon Kings had appeared, he must have felt an overwhelming urge to come running.

With every step deeper inside, more guards appeared. I could have flung each one aside with a single swing of my blade, but for mere humans, they were respectable enough.

They’re a small elite unit.

Without slowing down to take in my surroundings, I continued inside. This was my third visit to the inner castle.

"Bleugh!"

Soon, the Lord of Grassmere emerged—his face lined with deep wrinkles, making him look over eighty years old, though he was closer to fifty.

His eyes, full of equal parts expectation and caution, bore into me. In my past life, after I had freed him, he had left everything to his son and left on a hot spring journey.

A chill ran down my spine.

Did he really leave it all behind for a mere vacation before the war? Or had he been... taken care of by the same assassins on that trip?

"You... are the one who claims to be the Envoy of Malphas?"