If You’re Being Held Hostage, Wiggle the Carrot! - Chapter 130 - The Snake's Coil

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Ivan sent out a search party at once. He had meant to join them himself, but he realized he could not roam the grounds around the manor without Ruby.

For now, for whatever reason, he was fine, but there was no telling when the spirits might cling to him again. On top of that, night had already fallen, so he judged it best to hurry back to the manor.

Liam was waiting for him when he returned.

“Where is Ruby?”

“She’s in the room where Count Morado’s son is staying.”

“So Count Morado went along too.”

“Yes, my lord.”

When Ivan reached the guest room, he found Alex lying in bed with a pale face, and Ruby seated beside him. He wanted to hear the details, but he had no intention of interrupting just yet.

“How is Alex?”

At his question, she lifted her head from where she had been quietly watching Alex and met his eyes. Ruby hesitated for a moment, then answered.

“Mm, a lot of his yang energy was drained. It’s only temporary, but the amount seems considerable. That’s why he hasn’t come to yet.”

The first to react to her words was not Ivan. Count Morado, his face drained of color, asked:

“Th-then what should we do?”

“Yang energy is tied to life force. There isn’t much I can do for him right now. First, it would be best to build up his physical health.”

Having said that, Ruby ran the ash branch over Alex’s whole body. After sweeping it into every corner, as if cleaning with a broom, she narrowed her eyes and checked his condition once more.

The unpleasant energies still clung thickly around Alex. As long as these stayed attached, recovering his yang energy would be difficult. She looked up at the Guardian Spirit standing beside her and asked:

“The ash branch alone won’t make these go away. Can you help me, Guardian Spirit?”

‘Hmm. But I only want to help you.’

“…Um, couldn’t you think of it as helping me?”

‘Why do you want to help this child who has nothing to do with you? He is not even someone who can help save his tribe.’

The tone was kind, yet the content was cold through and through. But the Guardian Spirit was not wrong, so Ruby only shrugged and answered:

“Do I really need a reason?”

‘Ha ha, that’s an answer just like you.’

Even at words that might have sounded impertinent, the Ash Tree Guardian Spirit smiled fondly.

‘Very well. If it’s what you want, what need is there for a reason?’

So saying, the Guardian Spirit at once raised a hand and lightly waved it over Alex’s head.

‘I’ve removed only the malevolent energy. The rest depends on this child’s fate.’

“Thank you, Guardian Spirit.”

With those final words, the Guardian Spirit vanished. Ruby confirmed that the bad energy clouding Alex’s spirit had disappeared, then let out a sigh of relief.

Ivan, Liam, and Count Morado, who had watched the whole time from beside her, could not tell exactly whom she had been speaking with. They had to grasp the situation from Ruby’s replies alone.

“Is Alex all right now?”

At Ivan’s question, Ruby rose from her seat and said:

“For now I’ve removed the malevolent energy, so he’ll recover gradually. It would be best to call the attending physician again to examine his condition properly.”

“Liam.”

“Yes, I’ll bring the attending physician at once.”

After Liam left the guest room, Ruby rolled her stiff neck this way and that.

She had relied heavily on the Guardian Spirit’s help, but that did not mean she felt no fatigue. She had to channel the Guardian Spirit’s vast power and adjust it to fit her own.

On top of that, she had been out for a long time today before returning, so exhaustion rushed over her all at once. Her eyelids slowly grew heavy and began to close.