Chapter 265: You Are Like Sand (6)

The three of them walked along the rain-slicked mountain path. The Rubia I knew would’ve been sleeping soundly in such weather, tucked under warm white sheets. The windows would be tightly shut, and she'd clutch the blanket gently until the sun returned.

Now, she braved the storm, descending a rugged mountain path with ease. Her steps carried the weight of one shouldering her own life, unstoppable by thunder or wind. It was the gait of someone who had stumbled countless times in the past.

How proud I was. Though this was technically my first time seeing Rubia in this timeline, I couldn’t help but feel I’d contributed to that confident presence.

I followed behind quietly. I’d visited Erast three times before. However, this was the second time I’d descended into the territory right after waking up. The first time was after clearing Rena’s scenario. Reunited with Rubia after a long time, I wanted to do anything for her. Thus, I descended the mountain to wipe out her uncle’s faction. And I did, only to be killed within a single day by elite phantoms lurking in the shadows.

This time, I couldn’t let that happen. I remained on guard and followed them closely.

Shhhhhhh...

The gates of Erast came into view. Even though I wasn’t with her, Rubia walked confidently through them.

"Oh, you’ve returned."

Creaaaaak...

The guards who once tried to block her path and urged her to flee now opened the gates without hesitation. The situation had changed. Rubia Ray was no longer an exiled daughter fleeing from her homeland. Perhaps, even the guards had joined her side.

There was no need for me to step in. Inside the gates, the familiar scenery of Erast unfolded. We arrived at the square after two blocks in. Street vendors and stalls bustled where a grotesque execution platform once stood. Tents remained even in the downpour. Naturally, it was far livelier than the place it once was.

The last time I came here, Rubia had been shot by an arrow right around this point. However, ever since I activated my detection skill earlier, there hadn’t been a single threat. No assassins. No arrows.

Even the soldiers posted in the watchtowers were likely on Rubia’s side. She ascended the inner keep’s steep steps and headed toward the council chamber. Seven people were already waiting inside. With Rubia and her two attendants, the room now held ten.

The waiting members greeted her in unison. "You’ve arrived."

Shaking off the water on the stone floor, Rubia hung her outer cloak on a peg. "Thank you all for gathering."

It seemed this was a scheduled meeting. Climbing a mountain to find me, then immediately moving on to this? Her stats didn’t indicate high stamina. She had to be enduring this through sheer willpower. That thought didn’t sit well with me.

As Rubia entered, the tension among the seated members shifted subtly. Her presence was palpable. It wasn’t just reverence for being the former lord’s daughter, but also because of her merit.

"My lord, shall we begin the day’s report?"

Rubia waved her hand. "Save that title for after we’ve won."

A few of them chuckled softly. I recognized several of them. People who’d followed Rubia and ended up imprisoned. Illia, once locked in the debtor’s prison, now stood loyally by her side. The enemy crossbows that once lined the keep’s watchtowers were gone.

Rubia, once hunted by human assassins, calmly led the meeting and managed the affairs of Erast. Even as midnight approached, her focus remained sharp.

A woman from the corner passed out a sheet of paper. "Next is the most important matter. Regarding our request to the imperial court to assign a title arbitrator, we’ve narrowed down the inspector candidates."

A woman with a monocle held up a white page. "To appoint a new lord for a territory of this size, the inspector must hold a high position. And because this pertains to a count’s seat, it would be most appropriate for a marquis or higher to conduct the assessment."

I recalled what I’d absorbed from imperial law. If there were a succession dispute, it could be submitted to the imperial court for judgment. This had to be that process. It seemed Rubia’s faction had submitted the petition.

It wasn’t a bad choice. Even if she defeated her uncle, she’d be executed if she acted without imperial approval.

This was a declaration of intent. She wanted recognition from the Empire. The real question was: would the Empire side with her? From what I’d seen, the imperial court was a monster den. Her uncle was merely a pawn, fit to be used and discarded, but ever their obedient pawn. They’d likely prefer him as the next lord.

The discussion continued.

"There are only nine officials in the high-rankings, and five are active in administration. Among them, three hold the rank of marquis or higher."

The steward marked through the list. "This one is practically decided. It’ll likely be that wandering one."

"Marquis Leandro?" Rubia asked.

The steward nodded. "Yes. The swordmaster himself. He doesn’t need a guard detail and apparently leaves all knightly affairs to his subordinates."

Marquis Leandro...?

My thoughts froze.

He’s coming to Erast? To decide the next lord? What a cruel twist of fate.

Looking back, it made sense. He had always been set to move from here. Our confrontation had always been inevitable. Still, I couldn’t just sit back and watch.

The steward said, "That’s the most likely scenario, but we’ll continue our investigation."

The woman with the monocle gave a small nod. From there, the conversation shifted toward how to gather evidence and how to deal with Marquis Leandro if he really showed up. If that guy came in person, he’d do whatever he pleased and only accept the evidence he wanted to see.

Illia, who had apparently studied in the imperial capital, had a surprisingly favorable view of Leandro. "No bribes! No flattery! You can’t butter him up at all. He may come off as ruthless, but he follows the law to the letter."

That bastard?

I stared at the old steward, dumbfounded. Maybe he sensed my gaze, because he suddenly cleared his throat. There was a limit to delusion. The guy I saw aboard the ship wasn’t some cool-headed judge. If Isaac was a calculated madman, that one was just plain insane.

Regardless of my thoughts, Rubia led the rest of the meeting smoothly.

It had only been a day, but when I helped her ascend to the lordship, she had already shown promise. After all, with a bit of system-assisted early adjustment, her position had changed this much.

If I helped her just a bit more...

It wouldn’t be impossible for Rubia to fully assume the role of a ruling lord.

The meeting ended.

Rubia turned to the last remaining woman in the room: her loyal aide who’d followed her all the way to the grave. "You can take the rest of the night off."

The woman hesitated. "The... necromancy... Will you not be returning to the grave again?"

Rubia gave a tired smile. "Yeah. I must’ve been under some kind of spell. I won’t be going back alone, so don’t worry."

"Understood..."

The woman stepped out. Once alone, Rubia moved into the adjoining chamber. A secure room with limited access. After confirming she was alone, she walked softly out to the balcony.

The rain hadn’t stopped, but she stood beneath the wide overhang, keeping mostly dry. The stone canopy was strongly built to resist weather and time.

A gust of wind blew. Rubia wrapped her cloak tighter, though her hair still whipped around in the storm. The rain was beginning to freeze.

I’d lost count of how many times I’d seen her now. She stood silently, staring into the cold dawn. A completely different person from the one who had just commanded a room full of officials. Even when she’d come to the grave with her aides, she had stood tall. Now, that confidence was gone.

In a small, low, and dark voice, as if trying to soothe herself, Rubia murmured, "You promised... didn’t you? It wasn’t a dream. It felt too real to be a dream..."

She leaned against the stone wall. Steel met stone. Her sword clinked quietly, swallowed by the rain. Her face seemed like it’d crumble at any moment. She closed her eyes.

"..."

I opened her status window again. Her Affection score was 11, but her reaction was real. Maybe the system’s transparent messages couldn’t capture everything.

Whoooooosh!

I cast a subtle spell, just enough to shift the wind. The rain suddenly swept away from the edge of the canopy. Rubia’s eyes widened.

"You’re... there... aren’t you?"

Her voice trembled, full of hope.

Had she sensed something?

No. That was impossible. I’d used a skill that erased all presence, allowing one to blend into the very air. Besides, with the Level 6 Stealth skill, there was no way Rubia could detect me.

I took a step back. It had to be a coincidence. A lonely whisper into the dark. The urge to step forward faded. I wouldn’t reveal myself until everything was settled and I was ready to help her for certain. If that clarity cracked now, it’d only make things worse.

"Just my imagination, I guess..." Rubia whispered, stepping back inside.

She hadn’t even closed the door to the balcony. I scanned the room again. There were no threats nearby. No one was trying to kill, hunt, or torture Rubia Ray.

The biggest threat approaching was Marquis Leandro.

Tap tap tap...

The sound of rain hitting the stone canopy mixed with Rubia’s soft breathing. The storm brought to mind the image of Leandro’s replicas, riding through mud, splattering filth with every step.

That bastard was destined to suffer the same fate. Still, maybe, just maybe, he could be turned to our side. He was dangerous, but he could become an unmatched ally if our interests aligned.

Leandro von Batyenne. A man with deep ties to the imperial court. No need to mention his absurd skill. He was the Supreme Commander of the Blue Lion Order—one of the Empire’s most powerful military orders—revered by elite knights throughout the realm. If I wanted to warn him of the fate the Empire had in store for him, what proof would I need?

Knowledge of the Ashen Knight? The truth about the larva? Would Leandro even know about those? Even if he did, would he care? The questions multiplied.

For now...

[Skill: Designated Protection activated.]

[Skill Level: 1]

[For 1 hour, all damage directed at Rubia Ray within a 1 kilometer radius will be absorbed on your behalf.]

It wasn’t long-lasting, and I didn’t plan to stay inside the radius. Regardless, I activated it anyway, even if it was just for peace of mind.

I watched her sleep. Breathing softly, so light she could float away. Despite possessing a sword skill, her wrists still seemed like they’d snap if gripped too tightly.

"..."

She had to be thoroughly exhausted. Rubia had fallen asleep without even closing the balcony door. Looking at her like this brought back memories of the awkward girl I first met. The one who asked me,

"What do I even have that’s worth stealing?"

I watched her a moment longer. Then, silently, I shut the door and slipped out of the keep.

Fwoosh!