Chapter 232: Buried Alive (12)

It was the first time I'd ever seen Rubia subdue someone.

Sisel Ridbaren collapsed in shock. "W-What is this—!"

When did Rubia get this strong?

Surprised, I opened her status window.

[Name: Rubia Ray

Necromancer Lv. 8 (New!)

Health: 13 (New!)

Strength: 12+9.3 (New!)

Agility: 13 (New!)

Wisdom: 50 (New!)]

[Affection: 50 (New!)

—Rubia's thoughts are connected to you in one way or another.

—Her interest in anything besides you has greatly diminished.]

[Perk:

(New!)

—Stat Share: You've continued summoning a single spirit. Due to the deep bond, 10% of your highest stat is shared.

—Shared Stat: Strength (93)]

This was unexpected. I didn't think Rubia would level up. It looked like my experience points had bled over to her. On top of that, she now shared ten percent of my highest stat, which was Strength. If she kept growing like this, maybe, just maybe, she could survive the first night on her own.

"I'm heading out."

Rubia's slim figure somehow looked reassuring as she turned away.

Then, Sisel shouted from behind. "C-Call the guards!"

[Skill: Fear Lv. 1 activated.]

Thud.

Even though I cast it at the lowest level, Sisel and the two maids' eyes rolled back, and they started foaming at the mouth.

If this is what the weakest looks like now, then with my rising Wisdom stat, I'll need to figure out how to tone this down better.

"Let's go,"

I said to Rubia.

"Yes!"

They looked a bit too... off. Even if the maids were nothing, Rubia couldn't handle a swarm of guards. Even if I helped from the shadows, it'd be strange if she managed to fend off guards and escape unscathed. Thankfully, no one tried to stop us because Sisel was half-unconscious. We boarded the carriage and rode back at an easy pace.

I called out to Rubia.

"Hey."

"Yes?"

"Since when were you hiding your strength?"

Rubia blushed and shook her head.

"Wh-What are you talking about? Aren't you the one who should know best?"

What is she saying?

After seeing how confused I looked, Rubia explained to me,

"I wasn't hiding anything! This is the first time my stats have ever changed like this. I figured it was from being with you all this time. So I thought you'd know better than me..."

It seemed like there was a misunderstanding. I guess I'd been too indifferent to her. I checked her skill list. Some existing skills had leveled up, and new ones had appeared. Two in particular stood out.

[Desert Adaptation Lv. 1 (New!)]

The rest of the description matched mine exactly. The fact that the memories we shared while crossing the desert had turned into a skill was a strange, warm feeling.

[Composure Lv. 2 (New!)

—After experiencing so many astonishing events in a short time, you've learned to stay calm in most situations. You now have a slight resistance to status ailments.]

Composure was already at level 2. Of course, she was not ready to fight solo yet, but this much growth was enough to make me proud. Rubia used to flinch at my voice and fall in the mud like a startled deer. I remember her standing by my grave, trembling in the rain, trying to wake me. She'd changed.

I needed to make her the Lord of Erast soon. Maybe this upcoming operation would bring us closer to that goal.

I thought of the twelve Lurium bottles I'd given to Rena. She'd become the head of T&T, and even the past had changed. Maybe the same could happen for Rubia. I walked back to our lodging, wondering where in the world she truly belonged.

We got there quickly, but just as we entered, I felt someone approaching. Unlike the stalkers from before, this was high-level tracking.

We might have to fight. I don't want Rubia caught up in this.

I ordered Rubia to stay. "Wait here."

I quietly slipped out. The presence that had been rushing toward me vanished.

Right? Left? No. Behind me.

Clang!

I swung lightly to identify the intruder. My blade met two daggers crossed in an X.

The person teased me. "You call that a swing? If you're carrying something that big, use it properly."

"You could've been anyone. That could've gone badly."

Rena chuckled. "

Aw

, is that your way of saying I'm important? I'll take the compliment."

"Don't joke."

Tap tap.

She tapped her daggers against the wall. "I'm not joking. I'm not even lying."

"You're here for the mission? Did the schedule change?"

Rena nodded. "Yeah. Good intuition."

I'd just happened to guess right.

"They moved it up. It's in a week starting today. Even insiders were surprised. It seems they're rushing into war."

Why so suddenly?

A part of me wondered if it was something I did, but I couldn't think of any direct cause. I was probably just overthinking it.

"I understand."

"I'd like you to be in position three days in advance. Can you manage that?"

"I can. But..." I hesitated before adding, "I want you to protect Rubia during that time."

I didn't need much preparation myself, but the thought of being separated from Rubia during the operation made me uneasy. Her stats had gone up, but it was still only about twice that of a normal adult male. If a real assassin came after her, she wouldn't even get a breath in before dying. Isaac was not around either.

Rena paused briefly before answering. "Of course. We'll handle her protection. I'll assign top-class guards, so don't worry."

"And one more thing..."

"I'm listening."

Rena gazed at me intently. Her bright eyes had a strange, shadowed look. Maybe she was just exhausted from being busy.

"Never mind. I'll ask after the operation."

She seemed to be going around delivering the revised plans. I thought about asking her more about Ivote, but there wasn't any rush.

"If you're curious, ask me anytime."

Rena reminded me of the mission details once more, then walked off into the night.

When she had approached earlier, she'd come like a shadow, but when she left, it felt like she wanted me to keep watching her go.

Now, the street was empty. Left alone, I looked at Rena's pendant once again. The plan had changed, but the pendant's reaction hadn't. There was no danger signal. That meant it wasn't doomed to fail. I couldn't trust it completely, but it gave me a bit of peace of mind. I tucked the pendant away and returned to the lodging.

"In a few days... I'll need to leave for a while."

Rubia nodded. "That thing you mentioned before, right?"

I couldn't respond. The binding spell of the oath sealed my lips.

"

Ah...

I understand. It's okay! Just tell me when you're leaving."

***

The operation was now three days away. I decided to leave ahead of time and drop Rubia off at Rena's base. I didn't know where they came from, but we'd picked up a few new tails. Once we relocated to Rena's base, they all disappeared on their own.

"Come back safe." Rubia looked at me with trust in her eyes. "I'll be waiting, just like last time."

Last time?

It took me a moment to realize what she meant. She was talking about when I left her with Yube back in Grassmere to go find Isaac. Either way, she said she'd wait.

With that said, how could I die now?

Rubia handed me something. "Here."

"What's this?"

"A handkerchief. I was bored, so I tried embroidering something for the first time. If you don't like it, you can throw it away."

Rubia looked embarrassed. The handkerchief didn't seem to have any special effect, but throwing it away wasn't an option. I couldn't say if it was well-made or not, but the more I looked at it, the more it made me smile.

When did she have time to make this?

Purple, blue, and brown threads had been stitched into delicate flowers on a white cloth.

Rubia started rambling nervously. "There's this tradition of ladies giving handkerchiefs to knights going off to battle! I just wanted to follow that tradition... since you're technically my escort knight under your cover identity..."

Even her Composure skill couldn't help her now.

I tucked the handkerchief into my chest pocket. "I'll treasure it."

Then I ran through the secret passage and hid inside a vent.

***

A day passed. I felt certain that if I succeeded in this operation, I'd become far stronger than I was now. I could try out a class change and maybe pick up useful new skills. I'd also have more freedom in my actions.

Absorbing a large amount of Lurium might also reveal its hidden secrets. I'd take one more step toward clearing the scenario of making Rubia the Lord of Erast.

Two days passed while I hid. The inactive ventilation shaft was quiet and dark, a perfect place for deep thought.

Is Rubia doing okay? Where is Isaac?

Somewhere along the way, I'd gotten used to being with those two. It didn't suit me.

𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Clatter.

Three days passed by, and the day Rena had mentioned arrived. I pushed my Detection skill to its limit. It didn't take more than five hours.

So it begins.

I sensed the approaching procession through the secret tunnel. There were about thirty people. They didn't even try to hide their presence, as if it never crossed their mind that someone might be waiting.

As Rena said, they were transporting a massive vault. The timing, the item, the intel—everything matched. They'd secured a solid imperial insider. I wondered briefly who it was, but there was no time for that now. When their weight triggered the pressure plates on the floor, the vent lids would automatically open.

Clack! Clack! Clack!

Psssshhhh!

About a dozen vents ahead of them popped open, releasing thick gas.

"

Urgh!

"

"Hold your breath!"

A few dropped to the ground.

Zzzzzzpt!

A glow sparked from the mage's staff at the center. A translucent barrier quickly pushed the gas out of the corridor.

"Masks on!"

They even brought those?

Even in a panic, more than half of them pulled out large masks and put them on. They looked like the crow masks from the hall in Grassmere. They were definitely not easy prey. I wondered if it was time to move when a thunderous explosion from above shook the entire underground passage.

BOOOOM!

CRASH!

The ceiling collapsed. The brown sky came pouring into the narrow corridor.