Chapter 49

49

It seemed that a monster sleeping inside the ruins had awakened, or perhaps for some other reason, but the ruins always appeared with a guardian.

The guardian that appeared with the ruins guarded the entrance to the ruins.

Since the purpose was to guard the ruins, the guardian never left them.

Fortunately, due to the special instinct of such guardians, they didn’t deliberately attack human villages.

‘...Thinking about it, the griffin that appeared at the mansion back then was strange.’

It had flown all the way from the ruins it was guarding to the capital.

I let out a slow sigh.

It was too late to suspect it now and investigate.

The griffin was dead, and all traces would have disappeared. I shook the useless thoughts out of my head.

‘Still, did it appear near the capital?’

Given the magnitude of the tremor, the ruins must have appeared not far from the capital.

The ancient magic had weakened over time and finally dissipated.

‘With the ruins appearing, Silophia will send someone over.’

The royal family would likely send someone too. They would check if exploration was possible and, if necessary, form an exploration team.

Of course, this was assuming the entry conditions were met.

There were various restrictions for entering the ruins.

The entrance to the ruins usually had warnings written in ancient language, and ancient magic was cast on it. In other words, one couldn’t enter if they didn’t meet the conditions.

Among the ruins I had explored, there was one where only women could enter.

Conversely, there were ruins where only men could enter, or where one had to solve a puzzle to find the entrance.

"Vera!"

Stop shaking and pull yourself together!

‘It’s dangerous to stay inside the building.’

It was probably fine since the building was sturdy and had protective magic cast by a mage, but...

‘I want to go outside.’

Vera was too heavy to move.

I could see her slowly regaining her composure as she groaned from below.

"A, Miss...?"

"Um. Vera, let’s go out."

"Yes, we should. Let’s hurry..."

Vera carried me in her arms and headed out of the room toward the stairs.

Seeing her tense up, hugging me tightly and crouching, made my mouth dry.

Normally, this wouldn’t be a problem.

"Cal down, Kaishan."

Sharent Clow and Kaishan Clow, who was in his arms, were approaching from the opposite side of the stairs.

"Nothing to worry about. As long as I’m here, nothing will happen, so stop shaking."

Kaishan’s body was trembling, likely startled by the sudden tremor.

‘He must have rushed up to the second floor out of concern for his son.’

Every time I saw this, I doubted if this person was really Sharent Clow.

‘Well, I have Vera too.’

But if Vera wasn’t here, I would have had to come out alone again.

I stared at them.

Before they noticed me, I secretly put the mana stone I was holding into a subspace.

Sharent Clow stopped walking as if he had just noticed me.

His pupils dilated slightly.

"Sherina, are you okay...?"

Kaishan rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand and asked.

I glanced at him and clung even tighter to Vera.

Sharent Clow looked at me, then at Vera.

"Are you hurt?"

"No, I’m not."

"Let’s go downstairs."

"Yes."

When we went downstairs, Desar Clow, with a flushed face, was visible.

The people inside the mansion were bustling about, likely aware of the situation.

Valuable decorations were rolling on the floor.

This wasn’t just happening here.

Other noble families and houses would be in the same situation. Some of the citizens’ homes might have collapsed.

‘Shouldn’t Silophia compensate for all this?’

Of course, since the appearance of the ruins is an act of God, it might be fine to argue against it.

But personally, I don’t want to deal with Desar Clow with that expression. His face is so stiff.

‘Wow, if this goes wrong, Silophia will be bankrupt.’

The national treasury isn’t exactly abundant to begin with.

Of course, it’s not my concern, but I don’t want to return to a Silophia that’s in debt.

"Father."

"Kaishan!"

"Kaishan is just a bit startled, but he’s fine."

Sharent put Kaishan down and said.

Desar Clow nodded. Then, he turned his head and approached me, who was in Vera’s arms.

"Sherina, are you hurt?"

"Um."

"Yes."

Hearing my answer, Sharent Clow corrected me from the side.

‘Damn, he’s been so picky lately!’

I glared at him, but Sharent Clow remained unmoved. If I want to stay with him until I’m seven, I have to bend!

"Y-yes!"

"Sherina."

Sharent Clow called me.

Why is he making a fuss?

I turned my head slightly, and he opened his mouth.

"Are you hurt?"

Sharent Clow asked, looking at me.

Why is he asking again when he just asked Vera?

I wondered if he felt guilty and was trying to make an excuse, so I just looked at him.

"Fine."

After I answered, he averted his gaze and turned his head.

‘I really don’t get it.’

Sharent Clow would be much more suited to spitting out sharp words with a knife on his tongue.

"Sherina."

"What?"

"Sherina is my little sister, so I’ll protect you."

In the meantime, Kaishan approached me, grabbed my hand tightly, and said he would protect me.

If you’re going to say you’ll protect me, do something about the tears in your eyes first.

‘He’s seven years old and still so childish.’

Of course, his face was becoming more and more like Sharent Clow’s.

Vera, who had put me down, was busy helping other servants.

While cleaning up the mess in the mansion, she didn’t go outside.

‘The mansion is the safest place, I guess.’

That means the protective magic on the mansion is very strong.

I wanted to sneak out and take a look.

I wanted to see where the ruins had appeared.

I subtly pushed Kaishan’s hand away and took a few steps.

"Sherina, don’t go outside."

Sharent Clow noticed and said.

My plan to use spatial movement in a corner was instantly foiled.

It’s really unfair and too much.

"Kaishan, keep an eye on... no, take care of Sherina."

Keep an eye on...? You were about to tell him to watch me!

"Yes, Father!"

Really unfair, so unfair.

I like ruins too. I want to explore them. I want new artifacts.

Feeling dejected, I looked at Sharent Clow, but he was just having a serious conversation with Desar Clow.

"Did Silophia send a message?"

"I did send a simulacrum to the capital, but it hasn’t returned... It’s here."

Sharent Clow turned his gaze to one side.

A woman in a robe appeared as the magic circle disappeared. She seemed to be a mage, but she also had a sword on her waist.

‘A magus, perhaps?’

A magus can use both magic and swords.

They seem powerful because they can use both magic and swords, but often they are mediocre at both.

They can’t be a powerful mage or a strong swordsman. Anyone starting out would want to be the best in their field, so magi are actually quite rare.

This was only the third time I had seen a magus.

"I have returned, Duke, Young Duke."

"...You brought unnecessary company."

As Sharent Clow said, the magus wasn’t alone.

Another person followed her, and at their feet, two figures that looked like children were visible.

"Oh, was that directed at me, Young Duke?"

"Excuse me, I didn’t realize it was Your Majesty. You looked so shabby."

Despite the sarcastic tone, the other person only laughed lowly.

‘Wait, the Emperor?’

Why is the Emperor here in this situation? It’s been less than an hour since the earthquake.

The person called Emperor by Sharent Clow removed the hood of his dark robe.

When his dazzling blonde hair was revealed, I couldn’t help but turn my head.

Why do all the royal family members have blonde hair?

"Well, I heard a rumor that you’ve taken in a new daughter."

Ugh, I really don’t like this.

A chill ran down my spine, and my shoulders trembled as I listened without much thought.

The Emperor turned his head, and his eyes narrowed.

"Is this child the ‘new daughter’?"

"No."

"No, indeed."

Both Sharent Clow and I, who didn’t want to be involved, said simultaneously.