Janus Side:

  I was once again in my Father’s Office. We have just finished our daily meeting. And I was ready to leave when my Father called out,

  “Wait a moment. There is something else we need to discuss.”.

  I sat down again, expecting some new training regimen or an update on the Priest escort Mission. Instead, I couldn’t help but feel a bit awkward about my Father’s following request.

  “Tell me about your Progress with Ruby. How far have you gone?”

  “Huh?” I was fbbergasted.

  “I mean the report. The report you were supposed to give me about her.” My Father expined calmly, blissfully ignorant about my inner thoughts.

  “Oh, right, the report.” Just now, it almost sounded like he… never mind.

  What followed was awkward silence for a couple seconds.

  “The Report?”

  “Ehm?”

  “Give it to me.”

  “Ok, Ehm, where should I start?”

  “Sigh, where is she from?”

  “I honestly don’t know.”

  “You don’t know? It has been a whole Month, and you don’t know.”

  “She says she has forgotten where she came from. And Otto and I have found nothing about the nguage she spoke or wrote when she arrived here.”

  “That sounds convenient. Wait, did you just say she “says to have forgotten”? You don’t believe her, do you.”

  As sharp as ever.

  “I agree it is too convenient, and there are times when she talks about past events with no issue, but she dodges all questions reted to her origin.”

  “So, she wants to keep her origin secret. Not good. What about the rest? You think she is a spy?”

  The Ibasan threat was always the first thing on my Father’s mind. Thankfully, I should be able to quell this fear.

  “I think she is one of the least likely to be the spy.”

  “Really? Eborate.”

  “She has a strong aversion to violence. She has never hurt anyone here, even when they were insulting her. She helped not just the soldiers but everyone around here without holding back. She doesn’t even seem to have a grudge against Joe anymore and…”

  “SIGH, have I taught you nothing. Hurting anyone would only make people resent her since she is an outsider. Her altruistic, forgiving nature could be there, so we let down our guard. Not to mention her ridiculous learning speed.”

  Hearing it id out to me like this left me stunned for a moment. Have I unconsciously seen Ruby as an ally?

  “It’s not just me; Father Rika, Otto, and everyone else say the same thing.”

  “This only makes me worry more. It’s just all too convenient, Janus. Why would a genius Pope-level healer show up on our doorstep when we need her the most.”

  “Think about it: would the Ibasan really waste Ruby as a spy? She is too talented she…”

  And speaking of the Devil.

  Knock, Knock

  There was silence for a few seconds before my squire Collins’ voice came from the other side of the office door.

  “Lord Yuwen, Miss Ruby is here asking for an audience.”

  My Father and I stared at each other.

  Ruby’s Side:

  I was still anxious about the nightmare I had st night, where Otto kept chasing me with a thick book in hand. It felt almost too real.

  Shiver

  Never mind, it won’t get better from thinking about it.

  Instead, let’s focus on something else. Now that Benjamin’s Magic Crystal has formed this early, my pns must be accelerated. Originally, I thought I would be long gone from here before Benjamin’s Crystal formed, or I would have a much safer Social Standing.

  I haven’t thought about it this st month, but am I still a prisoner? Can I leave whenever I want? I was a bit afraid to ask. But maybe now I could make a deal to be “free” even if I’m a prisoner right now.

  With these thoughts, I made my way towards the third floor of the main building. A young man in light leather armor stood in front of the door leading to my destination, with a sword hanging from his belt and a dagger peeking out from his back. He had blond hair, brown eyes, and freckles covering his face.

  As I approached the door, he was guarding. He commanded me, “Wait! Identify yourself and your Purpose.”

  “Hello Ser, this one’s name is Ruby. I was hoping Lord Yuwen could grant me an audience.”

  The young man was obviously taken aback by my courtesy. It seems he isn’t used to being addressed as Ser. Had I made a mistake? But he just replied

  “Wait a moment, Miss Ruby. I will ask if his Lordship is comfortable with an audience.”

  It seems Otto’s etiquette lessons were worth it after all. It never hurts to be polite.

  About half a minute ter he returned

  “His Lordship has granted your request. You may enter Miss Ruby.”