chapter 17 : Ruby of youth
It's been a week since Elliot disappearance, only a few were informed as The public wasn't aware for the purpose to avoid any nasty rumors from spreading.
I had sent kuro to investigate Eliot's previous whereabouts while kyokota deals with the Democratic matters of Melvanille in Eliot's stead for the time being.
... .
"What are you thinking shiori-sama?" Ryu asked standing in my study.
"I have a theory, the girls started going missing a week after lady Abigail came back to melivanne....." I said staring at my journal
"And? It may just be coincidence..." he said raising an eye brow
"I thought so too, then I did more research on the man lady Abigail suggested I'd marry. His name is Peter Melville. He's apprantly he's the late duke's son. His thirty years older than me and has been married to six times already, each ending in divorces within the first year. His know for his perverse and womanizing personality. And apparently he's friends with lady Abigail " I explained my findings.
"Did you find out what the anklet was?" He asked
"Yes, I had visited Liam to study it from the book I found in the late king's study. It's called the ruby of youth it allows the wielder to get younger via draining the life force from young beautiful girls. A very dangerous artifact that once belonged to famous alchemist...."
"That's sounds cruel. From what I've gathered. The missing girls were all promised work by a noble family...." Ryu said staring at the window.
"It's worst than we thought. If my theory is correct then lady Abigail is kidnapping young girls, draining their life force for her desire. Once they were practically brain dead she'd send them to Peter Melville to satisfy his own lust....." My knuckles clenched trying desperately to contain the rage from boiling over.
"That sick bastard. We should confront him at once!" Ryu demanded
"No, we don't have enough evidence. Instead We should go and investigate the slums where the recent girl was abducted and look for clues..."
He frowned wanting to get justice but agreed.
.....
We walked into the slums. The area was dirty, children scamper away like rats. The walls with planks and prayers.
"It's not really my place to judge this place. According to the report the recent girl was selling herbs before disappearing...." I stated looking around but most ran as soon as they spotted us.
"Shiori-sama, wait...." Ryu halted
"What is it?" I asked
"It seems like we're being followed..." I turned around to see a little boy hiding behind some crates
"We can see you " the boy frowned coming out of his hiding spot. He looked around four to five years olds, super skinny and dressed in rags, I couldn't even tell if his hair was black or grey anymore due to how dirty he was.
"A kid?" I blinked
"Give me back my sister you monsters!" He screamed
"Sister?"
"Yes, she was hired by some noble and never came back. I told her not to go but she refused. I just want my sister's back..." The little boy was sobbing now.
I bent down and patted his head
"There , there, Let's start over. I'm Shiori and this is Ryuchi, what's your name?" I smiled gently
"Keith...." He said softly, snort flowing as he spoke. I took out an handkerchief and cleaned his nose
"Well Keith, were not the ones who took your sister. But your right they're monster. Want to help take them down?"
He looked at me, nodding with big eyes. I almost melted right there.we took him back with us for interrogation.
........
I was in my study, staring at the hardworking goblins as they carried construction materials for my official home.
"Everyone is sure working hard..." I sighed, playing with a jade hairpin. It was a gift from Mimi and Lila. Just then kuro entered the room, wearing his leisure attire.
"I see your style has changed..." I stated staring at him for a moment before turning back to stared at the window in deep thought.
"Yes, I took your advice and chose a more causal look that I got from you fashion choice through your memories" he explained, he opened and spread out a map on my desk.
"Any progress....?" I queried
"Yes, we had found lord Eliot's last location to be at the jewelry store a week ago. It would seem like a high ranking officer if the Crimson cross had taken in hopes that you'd surrender the throne"
"How are you so sure it's the crimson cross?
"There was an insignia left at the scene of lord Eliot's kidnapping " he answer placing the badge on the table.
"We've also traced lord Eliot's scent to three different locations, however we haven't pinpointed the exact one yet" he muttered the last part feeling wary of her reaction.
"Well that should be obvious..." I narrowed my eyes before flicking the hair pin his way, he flinched for a moment as it stabbed the space in between his thumb and index finger.
"Oh! Sorry...." I tensed at my action.
His eyes widened,
"Wait a moment shiori-sama, something seems off, the spot you had chosen is just an abandoned farmland..." He tilted his head curiously
"That's what they want you to think, no sensible person would leave something as resourceful as land abandoned, my guess is they killed anyone who tried to approach it meaning people thought it was cursed and stopped trying to use it " I explained
"Wow! So you've really put in so much thought in it, amazing shiori-sama!" He beamed.
Your giving me too much credit kuroha, it's all of you that are just too closed minded.
"Inform the others... We're going to save Eliot " I stared him dead In the eyes.
"Yes, shiori-sama!" He got out a notebook and started writing down. That's when Ryu walked in carrying a clean Kieth. He was now dressed in simple yet proper clothes, a shy blush on his cheeks.
"We're ready " Ryu gave a wolfish grin
I opened my drawer, staring inside at the white kitsune mask.
"It's show time!" I smirked
......
{Meanwhile}
In an unknown location, Eliot was being held together by mana blocking cuffs, staring at the man in front of him.
"I had never received such humiliation in my life!" The man kicked the side of Eliot's head. However Eliot didn't flinch
"Do you really think that just because you have me hostage, lady shiori would give up the throne, to the likes of a scumbag like you, Axel" Eliot spoke calmly
"I think she would, what queen would let her comrade die for a silly crown " Axel smirked.
"She's an honest and wise ruler, making hasty decision in the heat of the moment doesn't suit her" Eliot replied.
"She aids people with a plan in mind, that's just how she is. you're just upset because she beat you, even with your magical helper cheating for you!" Eliot spat, his voice laced with disdain, earning him a harsh slap across the face.
His cheek stung but he didn't react. Shiori had done nothing but helped him even if it was clearly for her own benefit.
"I don't care, just hope she shows up or you will never see your precious kingdom ever again" axel cackled as he kicked Eliot in the guy before storming off.
Axel walked into a room where lady Abigail was sitting on a sofa legs crossed elegantly as she stared at her young reflection in the mirror.
"Did he talk?" She asked
"He's not bothered. Pisses me off..." Axel spat
"Relax, this is just a precaution anyway In case the marriage meeting falls apart...." She said Toying with her fan
"I'm still confused to why they chose you of all people to weild the scared ruby of youth..." He scoffed
" Just do your job instead of complaining and maybe you'll get an artifact as well" she teased.
What a disgusting woman axel frowned
.......
Shiori's pov
I stared at the dungeon walls as I casually walked through the paths. I had found the missing girls in cages, recent ones as for the rest I had asked Liam to visit peter Melville's manor with dayama and fang as back up.
"It's ok now....were going to recue you all" I said unlocking the cages.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Lady Abigail screamed angrily.
" I could ask you the same thing...." I said looking her dead in the eyes.
"Their mine, leave!" She yelled
I used Webber to trap her in place. Her landed on her bum screaming for help as I just continued to unlock the cages.
At least choose someone who can actually fight.... I sigh borely.
{Location: A crimson cross underground outpost}
All the guards were screaming in terror as a mysterious group of individuals were killing them off like cockroaches.
"You can't be serious!" Axel grumbled as he ran with his fairy slave and his second in command.
Just then the second is command's head was severed, leaving the two horrified as they turned forward, staring at the culprits.
Each one in a unique clothes, with a green haired man standing in front of them, his red eyes precing through their very soul.
Axel recognized two of the others.
"Long time no see, axel" kuro smilled making the man's skin crawl.
"Just who the hell are you people?!" Axel demand
"We are the white lotus!" Ryu replied like he was some mc in an anime making his debut.
"Our main missions is recusing the young lord from your clutches and reunite him with our master" kuro added
"Don't even bother trying to lie, we found your insignia "kyokota add throwing the badge axel's way.
He was stunned, in panic, he grabbed his fairy slave by the neck and aimed his sword near her
"If you move, this girl dies!" He threatened. Just then in the blink of an eye, Ryu kicked axel in the stomach sending him mid flight as the fairy fell into Ryu's arms.
"You really think that would work? Your clearly underestimating us, major mistake.." Ryu stated calmly before slicing the collar of the fairies neck in one strike.
Her eyes watered before running to hide behind kyokota who seemed stoic.
"Get back here!" He ordered the girl but she refused.
He growled before dashing to lunged at Ryu.
Axel was smacked in the face as he crashed into a wall. Blood dripping down his forehead as he patted.
"I won't kill you, if you surrender and answer our questions that is...". Ryu spoke with pure dominance . Axel was feeling exhausted whereas Ryu had energy to spear. It frightened him to the core.
In fit of desperation, he took out a small medicine bottle and hurriedly ate one of the pills in it. The air shifted as axel's mana was rapidly increasing.
However, the white lotus didn't flinch. Axel punched the ground like a cracker as it crumble under him making him fall into the hole.
They all stared at the hole in confusion.
"He ran away..." Haruna deadpanned
"That was an interesting trick" Ryu said not amused.
"Should we go after him?" Kyokota asked when he felt a tig on his sleeve.
The fairy girl was desperate, her eyes glinted with hope.
"There are still other slaves like me here in Cells, please save them, please..." She begged. Kyokota turned to Ryu for a reply
"Very well we shall handle that first" he sighed.
"But what about, Axel" kuro furrowed his brow.
"Leave that to lady Ultamia" Ryu smirked.
....... ...
I looked around with radar, trying to find the others.
"Did I take a wrong turn?. And I was hoping to make my MC debut too..." I pouted.
Just then the ceiling crumbled as a familiar figure landed onto his feet in panic.
Axel? I stared at him as he seems to be consoling himself. He turned to me with a stern gaze as he stood unto his feet.
"Are you their leader? Take off your mask! And How did you even find me!?" He yelled out in futstration and anger.
" So I see, you did cowarded away from my subordinates..." I stated bluntly. I noticed one of his eyes had turned red with a flicker of dark purple.
A Phantom? No he still has his sensibility. A half phantom would be a more accurate term.The audacity to try such a thing isdespicable. I thought as I stared at him coldly
"That voice, no matter, it's just one woman!" He lunged at me with his hands engulfed in mana in the shape of blades.
In an instant, I whipped out my scythe and blocked his attack.
"What?!" He was stunded.
"You have quite an impressive amount of mana at the moment, care to explain why that is? Hmmm.?..." I queried,
{Radar activated}
"You lack skill a proper mana control.." I commented while dodging each attack with style.
"Shut up!!!" He kept going
"How pitiful, oh well, since I'm feeling generous, allow me to teach you the way of an OP character!" I smirked, smoothly avoiding his attacks
"Lesson 1: mark your opponent's fighting style!" I dodged another attack before kicking him in the back.
He grunted in pain by kept attacking mindlessly
"Lesson 2: use skills that can be most flexible for your powers!" I dropped my scythe in one swift motion, readying my fist
"And Lesson 3: look good doing it!" I grinned mischievously as I socked him in the face.
He crashed into the floor, got on one knee as he tried steading himself with his sword.
"I don't care how strong you are! The world is far to dark for me to escape now...this WORLD IS FAR DARKER THAN YOU CAN EVER IMAGINE !!!" He yelled at the top of his lungs in futstration, as if trying to run from the horrible things he had seen.
. "Very well..."
"Then I shall dive even deeper! How ever far I have to go, to save him!" I smiled wickedly.
His eyes widened before frowning deeply.
"I'm serious! This isn't a game, you b*tch!" He took out the medicine bottle and ate another pill.
His body powered up as he went full super seiyan rozei.
My eyes narrowed.
"Time to die, you b*tch!!!!" His formed a large, potent energy bomb and threw it at me with everything he had.
"How despicable"
{Slime manipulation activated}
I hardened my hand with a blob of slime before absorbing the attack.
"Impossible!!! What the hell are you?!" His eyes widened with horror and disbelief .
"Playtime is over" I frown
{Webber activated}
He froze as I entangled him in my webs.
"As for your question, my name is Ultamia, however you know my by a different identity" I took of my mask.
His face paled upon seeing mine.
"It can't be... " He shook his head in disbelief.
"Thankyou for playing, however playtime is over..." I cut him to pieces as his blood spread across the floor.
"What's this?" I picked up the medicine bottle with curiosity before shoving it in my pocket.
Then it hit me.
"Shit! I forgot read his memories for information on the diablo cult!" I whined.
I walked back to meet up with the others, carrying lady Abigail along like a sack of potatoes.
"Hey guy" I said tossing her onto the ground
"Hey I'm not some product. I deserve respect!" She screamed. Keith walked up to her, eyes blazing
"You're the lady that took sister! Give her back!" He yelled yanking off the anklet. A flash of light beamed as all the stolen youth return to their rightful owner. Leaving lady Abigail to her true wrinkly self.
That's when a girl similar looking to Keith Stubbled over.
"Keith...." She gasped, like she couldn't believe it
"I thought I'd never see you again
......
No one's pov
Eliot opened his eyes as he abruptly sat up. He was in a hospital bed with his arms and legs wrapped in bandages.
"Your finally awake..."
He swiftly turned his head to see shiori sitting on a chair.
"How are you doing?" She asked
"How I'm I here?" He queried
"We saved you obviously" she replied with a cheeky grin.
"Really?! Then what about Axel?! He quired with disbelief
"Oh, I took care of him personally, don't worry " she smiled
He was stunned, just then he noticed a scar on her uper arm. As if noticing his gaze, she dismissed the wound
"Oh, don't worry about me, I'll heal up just fine " she smiled
"But why...?" She tilted her her, waiting for him to continue.
"Why go to such lengths to Dave a nobody like me, if it's to rule the kingdom I'm sure one of your order servants could have done a far better job than I could have. Now that you know the existence of the organization, you'll be targeted. And it's all my fault...." Tears rolled down his face in guilt.
She had saved him countless times and now because of him, she's in danger.
Even if axel is gone, there are far greater threats and she has to face them, all because of him. Guilt eating away at him like a fast spreading virus, until he felt a hand on his.
He looked at her as she stared at him with gentle eyes
"Baka, it's never your fault, I had known about them for a while now and as for the reason I saved you, that was because your my friend and friends don't let friends suffer for ones benefit.
"You really think so...?" He asked search for any form of lie in her speech.
"Of course silly! For better or for worse, We're always going to be friends." She smiled
His heart skip a beat.
She had made him see how weak and pitiful he truly was.
Despite being a half elf, he let his ego and fear of losing everything block his vision.
He only wanted to fulfill his grandfather's wish and allow the kingdom to prosper but now....
his goal has changed, He wants to aid her however he can.
Even If min had lost everything back then, Eliot has gained something much more valuable.
She was his savior....
She was his light....
She was his friend