Chapter 14
‘A carrier pigeon?’
Even last night, Elion had contacted her through a carrier pigeon.
It was to set the time and place for Rubiana’s medical examination with Omar.
Slowly raising herself up, Rubiana walked toward the window.
As she expected, a pigeon was tapping its beak—tok, tok, tok—against the glass.
“Come in.”
When she opened the window, the pigeon fluttered inside.
A note was tied to its leg.
When she untied it, she found a small envelope.
Inside the envelope was a bracelet and a short memo.
Oh! A communication bracelet!
Rubiana’s eyes sparkled brightly at this new magical item.
In this world, instead of smartphones, magic existed, and such convenient tools often appeared.
Following the note’s instructions, she tapped the jewel-like purple communication stone twice—click, click.
At once, the stone lit up and began to blink.
It seemed to be sending a signal to the other side.
Moments later, the blinking stopped, and the entire stone glowed brightly.
At the same time, a familiar deep, low voice reached her ears.
It was Elion.
–Is this Lady Payson?
“Yes, it’s me, Your Grace.”
–Can you hear me well?
“Yes, I can hear you clearly.”
Ohhh, amazing!
This felt no different from a phone call.
–I’m glad it seems to be working properly.
“Why did you suddenly send me this?”
–Since we’ll have to meet every day from now on to exchange mana, I thought this would be better than arranging schedules each time with a pigeon.
“Ah, that makes sense.”
Rubiana nodded as she replied.
“Thank you.”
–Then what time tomorrow works for you?
“Tomorrow… I’m fine with any time.”
Ah… that sounded a little pathetic.
Her cheeks flushed red.
But there was no helping it—she really didn’t have any special plans.
If things had gone according to the original story, by now she would have become a spirit user, entered the Imperial Knights, and would be busy adjusting to her new life.
‘But the current me… is nothing.’
Enough of those gloomy thoughts.
Rubiana shook her head, scattering the remnants of despair.
–How about late afternoon?
“That’s fine.”
–Then I’ll contact you again then.
“Yes.”
The business was finished.
Just as Rubiana was about to say her farewell, Elion’s hesitant voice came through.
–And…
“Yes?”
–If a monster suddenly appears again like last time, contact me.
“Ah…”
Did that mean he would come save her if a monster suddenly attacked?
This man? This dark duke?
The one called a war maniac and a bloodthirsty killer? The man who always carried the scent of blood with him?
A man who had neither tears nor compassion, and whose understanding of human emotions was nearly zero?
‘Wait… what am I thinking?! I’m only alive now because of his sympathy.’
It was clear that Elion, before becoming addicted to mana stabilizers, had been quite a kind person.
Her heart, which had been trembling in fear until just a moment ago, now pounded joyfully—thump, thump.
There was someone who knew her fears.
There was someone who wanted to help her.
A wave of emotion surged through her chest.
Her eyes burned, as if tears would spill.
‘Ahh… I mustn’t cry. If I do, my eyes will swell again tomorrow morning. I don’t want that two days in a row.’
Biting her lower lip tightly, Rubiana held back her tears.
Elion, perhaps curious about her silence, asked,
–My lady? Did you understand?
“…Yes.”
She answered briefly, worried her voice might tremble.
She didn’t want him to know she was touched.
–My only cure cannot be allowed to get hurt, can she? Your safety is my safety as well.
“…I see.”
‘So that’s what he meant. And here I thought…’
Ugh. I got emotional for nothing. Give me back my feelings!
Her tears immediately retreated.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
–Yes.
Click. The connection ended, but Rubiana, not realizing it, continued her farewell.
“Good night…”
When she finally noticed the communication stone had gone dark, she gave a small, helpless laugh.
Any lingering sentiment had completely vanished.
Yaaawn… Instead, a yawn came.
Now she felt like she could sleep.
Leaving the bracelet on the table, she climbed into bed.
Though she felt a bit silly for being touched alone, her heart felt much lighter.
Whatever the reason, it was true she was being protected.
With the world’s strongest swordmaster Elion guarding her, what monster could she possibly fear?
It didn’t matter if he was a dark duke or a demon.
For now, he was clearly her symbiotic partner.
“I guess it’s better to just keep wearing the bracelet.”
Jumping up, Rubiana strode to the table.
Fastening the bracelet with its purple communication stone firmly around her wrist, she felt at ease again.
Letting out another long yawn, Rubiana’s head hit the pillow, and she fell into a deep sleep.
Early morning, at the Imperial Knights’ Spirit Division.
Chad was just about to head out for personal training when Stephanie walked in.
“Good morning, Captain.”
“Oh, Chad. You’re here early.”
“I must train hard. I still have a long way to go.”
“Yes. Keep up the effort.”
Stephanie nodded lightly and began to walk past him. But Chad hesitated, as if he had something more to say.
She looked up at him, her eyes asking, Why? What is it?
Finally, Chad spoke.
“…How is Rubiana doing?”
“Our Rubi is… not well, but… also fine.”
“Huh? What do you mean…?”
Seeing Chad’s confused face, Stephanie added an explanation.
After all, they had once been close childhood friends, so it seemed fine to share a little more detail.
“Many physicians have come, but none could determine the exact illness. They just say her energy is weak.”
“Ah… I see.”
Chad’s face darkened.
Before his expression grew too gloomy, Stephanie quickly added in a lighter tone,
“But in daily life she gets around just fine—darting here and there. Maybe because of her sudden illness, she’s become a bit more emotional though.”
She chuckled softly as she recalled her younger sister bursting into tears, deeply moved when the whole family had waited to eat together with her.
“How about visiting sometime? As a get-well visit? I think Rubi would like that.”
“Would that be okay?”
Seeing Chad’s face suddenly brighten, Stephanie’s lips curled in amusement.
Though outwardly a handsome young man of twenty, at times his expressions and tone still belonged to the ten-year-old boy she remembered.
“I don’t know. Ask Rubi.”
“Ask Rubi?”
“Yes. In a letter.”
“Ah, right.”
Of course. That was a good way.
Chad nodded firmly.
Elion was at the Great Temple.
He had come to discuss with the High Priest about reinforcing the capital’s protective barrier.
As he waited in the reception room, the door opened and a woman in a white robe entered.
It was Florentia Mirren, the empire’s only Saintess.
Born into the Mirren ducal family, she had lived as a noble daughter until the year she came of age, when her holy power suddenly awakened.
Many claimed it was the strongest holy power ever seen in the history of the Ramor Church, the Hasmik Empire’s state religion.
Perhaps because it was rare for a high noble’s daughter to awaken as a saintess,
Florentia was revered by the entire empire.
When the saintess appeared instead of the High Priest, Elion’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.
Rising from his seat, he bowed respectfully.
“I greet the Saintess.”
“Hello, Duke Klitzman. It’s been a while.”
With long golden hair flowing down her back, Florentia smiled warmly at him, her expression filled with genuine delight.
She asked in a light, teasing tone,
“How is your health these days, Duke? I even had mana stabilizers prepared for you, but you never came for them, so I was worried.”
“I apologize for troubling you with needless concern, Saintess. As you can see, I am much better now.”
Elion lowered his head to express his gratitude.
Florentia, however, pouted slightly and murmured,
“Elion, aren’t you being too formal? You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you? Putting up walls, drawing lines, just to frustrate me?”
“Surely not, Saintess. Please, don’t doubt me.”
Elion’s eyes curved gently as he looked at her.
“If not… I’ll scold you.”
At that, Florentia let out a small laugh.
Would you like me to continue translating Chapter 14 until the very end, or should I stop here at this scene and wait for your confirmation before moving forward?
