House Visits
I was just in the middle of explaining the different kinds of constructs one could form with non-attribute magic when I heard a knock against the clinic’s door, which had turned into our provisional classroom.
Knock, Knock
“…Depending on how much mana one uses, the stronger or weaker the construct will be. If you use too much, they will become brittle like iron. If you use too little, they won’t be more than a fine mist. It will only become as hard and flexible as steel when you use the right amount. To then increase its durability even more, you must fold, bend, and shape your mana into stable structures so you can…”
Knock, Knock, Knock
“Ehm, Miss Ruby, I think there is someone at the door.”
“Huh, Oh Ehm, right, thank you, Felicia. I must have been too absorbed. Ahem, you can come in, please!”
I almost expected Rika to come through the door, though she should be swamped during this time of day. However, in came Jack.
“My Father wants to see you, Miss Ruby.”
“Me? Ehm, can it wait? We are in the middle of a lesson.”
“Sadly, not Miss Ruby. He has asked me to specifically fetch you, Miss Ruby.”
Is he making fun of me for being a teacher? Well, whatever it is, it is Jack after all; he is always making fun of someone anyway.
“Sigh, okay, everyone, I will be gone for a moment, just keep training your basic shields while I’m gone. Oh, and Felicia, please help the others when they are struggling?”
I heard a few words of protest as I left with Jack for leaving Felicia in charge, but they were mainly from Juan and Matt, so I ignored them. Very soon, they would be in one of their endless discussions again about whether fire is better than water anyway.
“Do you know what he wants from me?”
“I’m not sure, though, it won’t be something bad. He is pleased with your work after all. And he well…”
“What?”
I asked inquisitively. After all, Wilhelm Yuwen is the highest-ranking noble for miles. His word was the law. If he had negative views towards me, I had to know. But Jack evaded my question and just replied with,
“Nothing”
He is definitely keeping something from me. Looks like I would have to ask Rika for more. Maybe she knew something. But Rika had to wait, so for now, I focused on the keeper of secrets right in front of me.
“So, you have become the errand boy, huh?”
Jack tried to look unbothered as if he didn’t care about doing a servant’s work, but I could see his eyelid twitch slightly.
“Just this once, since he meant I know you.”
Of course, I wouldn’t let him go just with that.
“Really, just because you know me. I’m sure you have done something again.”
“Not this… I mean, I didn’t do anything. At least nothing he should care about.”
I would have loved nothing more than to grill Jack for more, but we were already there. But unlike last time, this time the door leading to Wilhelm Yuwens’ Office was wide open, and people came and left at a rapid pace.
“Uhm, what is going on?”
But when I looked back, Jack had already left. Did he run? He definitely did something again.
“Ah, Ruby and…? Jack? By the Gods, where has he gone again? Sigh, just take a seat, don’t mind the others, they are just preparing for our departure.”
All around us were servants and knights preparing documents and billowing orders.
“Ehm…” I say this a lot today, “What do you mean by ‘our departure’?”
“Janus and Joel have sent us a message which said…”
Wilhelm Yuwen then explained to me the contents of the letter in a rapid session. Essentially, a massive undead army is besieging Aldmoor, Sir Rodrick is a traitor, and Captain Titus has been crippled. Oh, and the priest is alright, I guess, even in the letter, he was just mentioned as a footnote, poor guy.
“So, with our departure, you mean that you and I…?”
“Hehe, no, no, just me and as many men as I can spare.”
Honestly, I felt a bit insulted, but I’m no soldier after all, even if I could fight when it came down to it. And I guess they won’t need me this much if the priest is there. But one question bogged my mind,
“You will be going? What if the Ibasans attack?
Wilhelm Yuwen declared confidently with a boyish grin,
“Oh, I’m counting on it.”
“Huh?” I looked as dumb as the sound that I just made. He was counting on it?
“Well, look, I’m not the only reason this Fortress has never been breached. My men can handle a few weeks without me. As for the Ibasans, well, even a blind man could see the writing on the wall. All of these interferences are definitely linked to them.”
“So, while you are gone, they will attack?”
“They would be stupid not to do so. But don’t worry about the battle side of things, just focus on healing our troops, and we will be fine.”
“Well, if you say so, but that is already my job, so why have you really called for me?”
“My wife, Olivia, hasn’t taken the news about… Sigh, Rodrick, all too well.”
“The Marchioness?”
“She has never had the best constitution, so could you spare a moment of each day until I’m back to look after her, please?”
Of course, there was no real scenario where I could say no here even if I wanted to. The thought of meeting Janus’ mother honestly terrified me. Still, he is the Marquis, and she is the marchioness, and… well… I could see in his eyes that she really means a lot to him. Well, guess I will have to make some House visits every day from now on until they return.