ㅤChapter 44
ㅤThe rain had stopped by the next morning. Theodore, who had been checking the window, turned back to the room.
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ㅤ”If the sea isn’t too rough, let’s take the road along the coast. I’d rather not go through the forest.”
ㅤ”Understood. That’s safer, isn’t it?”
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ㅤAfter preparing, they left the woodcutter’s hut where they had spent the night. Ruby mounted the horse first, followed by Theodore.
ㅤThe fresh scent of plants and trees filled the air in the forest after the rain, and the tranquility made yesterday’s events feel like a lie.
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ㅤ”This forest is beautiful. There are flowers blooming here that I don’t see near the castle!”
ㅤ”Yes. However, we must not let our guard down. All the forests in our country have the potential for monsters to appear.”
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ㅤWhile Ruby enjoyed the forest scenery from horseback, Theodore kept one hand on the hilt of his sword, remaining vigilant.
ㅤThe two of them crossed the forest and emerged onto the coastal road. If they headed straight south, this road would lead them back to South Harbor. However–
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ㅤ”It’s not as rough as yesterday, but the sea is still choppy. It’s strange since it’s not raining.”
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ㅤTheodore muttered with a grim expression as he looked at the sea.
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ㅤ”The waves are high. It looks like the surface of the sea is swirling in the distance.”
ㅤ”Hmm…… The rumors about monsters might not be entirely wrong.”
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ㅤRuby tilted her head as Theodore pondered.
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ㅤ”Do monsters live in the sea too?”
ㅤ”Yes, haven’t you seen them before? Monsters don’t just live in forests. They live in the sea, and even in volcanic craters. Just like our world, the monsters that emerge from the Underworld have their own ecosystem.”
ㅤ”There are monsters living in various ways.”
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ㅤIt was a fresh surprise. She had thought that all monsters were like the ones in the Demon Forest.
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ㅤ”……That whirlpool is bothering me. Do you mind if we get a little closer? We’ll leave immediately if we sense any danger.”
ㅤ”Of course.”
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ㅤCarefully maneuvering their horses, they came out onto a beach where they could get a good view of the whirlpool. Then, Ruby noticed something.
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ㅤ（I sense poison. And a very large amount of it.）
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ㅤWhen she focused her senses and checked, it was emanating from within the whirlpool.
ㅤWhite waves swirled on the rough sea surface. Like the eye of a storm, it made a roaring sound different from the sound of the waves. It was clear that it wasn’t a naturally occurring phenomenon.
ㅤTheodore, who had dismounted and was observing the sea intently, folded his arms.
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ㅤ”It seems there is a monster after all. With this much influence, it must be a large Sea Vampire or a Bighorn Fish……? The rough seas are probably continuing because it’s rampaging underwater.”
ㅤ”I can sense its presence too…….Since it’s negatively impacting South Harbor’s fishing industry, does that mean we’ll have to exterminate it?”
ㅤ”Yes. But not right now. The knights here wouldn’t be able to handle it, so we’ll have to call for reinforcements from the Imperial Capital.”
ㅤ”Then, there’s no need for that!”
ㅤ”……What do you mean? Whether it’s a Sea Vampire or a Bighorn Fish, the extermination difficulty is A-rank. We need a suitable preparation period and experienced knights.”
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ㅤWhen Theodore asked with a puzzled look, Ruby smiled.
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ㅤ”This monster seems to have poison. So, I think I can exterminate it with my Poison User ability.”
ㅤ”……!”
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ㅤTheodore gasped for a moment, but quickly regained his stern expression.
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ㅤ”It’s too dangerous. I don’t doubt you, but the cost would be too great if something were to happen.”
ㅤ”It’s alright. While Your Majesty was observing the sea, I observed the nature of the poison, and I found that it’s weaker than the poison I possess. Besides, I have a reliable ally. It should be here soon– Ah, there it is!”
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ㅤFollowing Ruby’s gaze towards the sky, Theodore also looked up. He saw something like a black bird flying towards them at incredible speed.
ㅤAs it approached, it grew larger and larger. It was no longer a bird, but clearly a magnificent dragon. Ruby embraced the monster as it landed, beaming with a joyful smile.
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ㅤ”It’s Blacky! You’ve grown even bigger in the few months we’ve been apart! Your Majesty, Blacky is very good at fighting. He helped me a lot when we were living in the Demon Forest. Some monsters would still attack with their claws and fangs even after I removed their poison, so in those cases, Blacky would defeat them and make them his meal.”
ㅤ”Cui~! !”
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ㅤBlacky was happy to see his master again after a long time. He let out an affectionate cry and rubbed his nose against Ruby.
ㅤSeeing the two of them cuddling, Theodore felt a strong sense of exhaustion and remembered a feeling he had almost forgotten.
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ㅤ（……Right…… I remember now…… This princess always goes beyond my expectations. She tamed the archenemy of mankind, a Dark Dragon…… But why is it here……?）
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ㅤ”Yesterday, I called Blacky, who was staying behind. You see…… I thought I wouldn’t be able to return to the castle anymore, so I couldn’t leave him at the log house……”
ㅤ”……Can you communicate with a Dark Dragon even when you’re separated?”
ㅤ”He’s not a Dark Dragon. He’s just a big bird.”
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ㅤRuby puffed out her cheeks at Theodore, who kept getting it wrong no matter how many times she explained.
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ㅤ”It’s not just Blacky, but Michael too. I can understand what my familiars – the friends I’ve made – are thinking, and my will reaches them regardless of the distance. Now that you mention it, it might be a strange power.”
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ㅤIt wasn’t a matter of “now that you mention it,” but–
ㅤAs Theodore stared at the Dark Dragon, Blacky noticed his gaze and snorted, “Cui-gyu.” He quickly averted his eyes and coughed to cover his embarrassment.
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ㅤ”As you say, that bird seems quite strong.”
ㅤ”Yes. He says he can handle even a Sea Vampire or a Bighorn Fish.”
ㅤ”Well, I suppose so……”
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ㅤThe Dark Dragon reigns supreme over the monsters that emerge from the Underworld. It’s originally a monster that should be serving the King of the Underworld – the Demon King – not a human princess, and it’s the strongest monster in both name and reality.
ㅤIf Ruby removes the poison and the Dark Dragon delivers the finishing blow, the extermination of the monster dwelling at the bottom of the whirlpool suddenly becomes a realistic possibility. It would be a faster and safer response than summoning the Knights, and the impact on South Harbor’s fishing industry could be resolved immediately.
ㅤHowever, Theodore’s concern was still Ruby’s safety. This one point bothered him so much that he couldn’t make a decision. Even if the Dark Dragon was the strongest creature, could it really cooperate and fight effectively with a human?
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ㅤ”……Am I that unreliable?”
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ㅤRuby stepped away from Blacky and stood before Theodore, who was showing reluctance.
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ㅤ”……It’s not a matter of whether you’re reliable or not.”
ㅤ”I’m a former princess. I’ve lived my life believing that it’s my duty to serve my people and my country…….Can’t you believe in my resolve?”
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ㅤHer sparkling red eyes showed strong determination and pride.
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ㅤ”I failed at the hospital, but I will never misjudge my own power again. Could you please give me a chance to redeem myself as the Empress?”
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ㅤ–This was the first time Ruby had been so insistent.
ㅤTheodore, who understood her feelings all too well as a fellow royal, finally had no choice but to nod. Because remaining silent any longer would be the same as hurting her dignity. That was not what he wanted.
ㅤIt was a difficult decision, but Theodore slowly nodded.
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ㅤ”……Alright. Then, I’ll leave this to you and the black bird.”
ㅤ”……! Thank you!”
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ㅤThis person always respected her feelings. Ruby’s trust in Theodore deepened once again.
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ㅤ”Let’s do this, Blacky! We have to punish the bad monster that’s troubling this town!”
ㅤ”Cuiiiiinnn~!!”
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ㅤThe two and the dragon stood on the beach near the whirlpool. Ruby, wishing for the peace of the people of South Harbor and the seas of Langley, recited the incantation with strong determination.