Chapter 145
Want to read it all in one go? Check out IYBHH, WTC! here:
In other words, if a very large amount of life force were taken, it would threaten one’s life. Ruby hadn’t considered that simple principle.
Because no matter how wicked a spirit was, she’d never seen one drain a living person’s yang energy to the point of death.
Since that was the order of nature, she hadn’t anticipated it in the slightest.
But what if spirits had been sent deliberately, truly meaning to kill, to eat away at Ivan’s yang energy?
Then it was a different story. She had to find out the exact reason.
What grand purpose would make someone dare to think of ending a tribe’s Chief by abusing invisible forces?
‘H-how would we know something like that?’
‘Right! We just want to feed! On that one’s yang energy!’
‘It’s driving us mad! Ever since you came we haven’t been able to touch a drop!’
The spirits all turned at once and glared at Ruby, as if they’d lunge at the slightest excuse. The way they turned was awkward beyond words. Some twisted only their necks a full 360 degrees, and some turned only their bodies a full 360 degrees.
“Oh-ho. At this rate, think I might let you come at me?”
Ruby planted both hands on her hips and tilted her head to the side. It was a threatening gesture:” You dare to challenge me?”
Nearly dozens of spirits eyed one another. Still, if this many of them rushed at once, couldn’t they manage something?
“Go ahead. No blaming me if you get annihilated.”
Just as Ruby grinned and went to undo her sealing-stone earring, her wrist was seized. Ivan scooped her up and, at great speed, bolted into the manor.
“Your Grace! What are you doing?”
“Say something that makes sense.”
“Hey, now it looks like I tucked my tail and ran from the spirits!”
“A rabbit’s tail is already a cute, round little shape. You couldn’t tuck it even if you wanted to!”
“It’s a figure of speech, a figure of speech!”
“How long has it even been since using your power laid you flat, and now you want to use it again?”
“Those things aren’t even a mouthful.”
“Yes, yes.”
Answering offhandedly, Ivan came up to the room. After setting the Ruby he’d been carrying down on the sofa of his private sitting room, he loosened his cravat as if stifled.
“What are you going to do now? Because of you, the spirits are going to start taking me lightly.”
“Tsk, you have to know how to admit when you’ve lost in order to grow up properly.”
“I didn’t lose!”
“You’d have been at a disadvantage, surely.”
“Me? Uh, no I wouldn’t.”
“Just hearing it, it really sounds like you were in a very bad spot, though?”
“Excuse me! Your Grace, are you doubting my power right now?”
When Ruby leaped up as if scandalized, Ivan feigned ignorance and sat down beside her. He picked up the water pitcher that always sat on the table, poured a glass, and gulped it down.
Then he handed Ruby a glass filled with water too.
“I’m not doubting your power; I’m saying we should conserve them.”
“…Really, now?”
“There’s already a barrier over the manor, so what need is there to waste your strength for nothing?”
“…Hm, now that you say it, that’s a fair point.”
“Right? Now then, hear me out too. I have something important to say.”
“What is it you want to say?”
Ruby asked as she took the cup he handed her. Ivan carefully spoke to her as she gulped down the water.
“From one of the captured Serpent Tribe, I heard that the Pink Rabbit tribe is alive.”
Pfft!
The instant he finished speaking, Ruby spat out the water she was drinking without meaning to.
And since she happened to have been looking at Ivan as she drank, his face ended up thoroughly drenched.
“…S-sorry.”
Pale as a sheet, Ruby stammered out an apology. This time, she’d have nothing to say if she got scolded.
Discussion
0 CommentsNo comments yet.