Chapter 149 Count Me In

A week had passed since the Wave of Beasts incident. Under strict information control, the public believed that the legendary Archmage had once again saved the world, while the true protagonist of the event remained unnoticed. Of course, no one minded; after all, a quiet and carefree life was the best one could hope for.

Tina recently had been living quite happily. At last, she experienced the status of Mayuna firsthand, receiving Ruby’s meticulous care every day. Just how attentive was this care? Upon waking each morning, a single call to Ruby would guarantee a prompt response, followed by a steaming breakfast brought to her—a transformation into the most perfect butler the world had ever known. Once, when Tina whimsically called out to him while bathing, she soon heard the bathroom door opening, panic-stricken, she hurriedly stopped him.

If asked what Tina liked best, it was the nights lying in bed, waiting to fall asleep. Knowing she was blind and unable to see anything, Ruby used vivid, delicate descriptions to paint colorful images with words. The green-haired princess, with her limited imagination, seemed to conjure beautiful landscapes from his soothing voice, drifting into sweet slumber. And when she awoke the next morning, Ruby was still by her side, as if he had never left.

Mayuna, on the other hand, showed no jealousy over Ruby’s attentions and was indifferent toward Tina, yet whenever she acted coquettishly, the Archmage’s sister would take her hand to lead her, cautioning her carefully about the steps.

Such treatment made Tina wonder if she should have blinded herself sooner. Of course, she was only joking. The Emperor, upon learning his daughter’s blindness, did not grow silent or withdrawn; instead, he smiled even more joyfully, marveling at the inscrutable thoughts of his simple-minded daughter.

Ruby’s care went beyond mere tending. He taught Tina how to use a white cane and the precautions blind people should observe—skills requiring time to master. When she didn’t understand, he patiently guided her hand. Though it was only a handshake, the feeling was entirely different. When holding Mayuna’s hand, Tina wished to hold it longer; but holding Ruby’s made her shyly withdraw, wiping the sweat from her palm before offering her hand again.

It’s worth noting that caring for Tina wasn’t just Ruby’s duty. The neighboring empire’s princess had also joined in. Though she cared earnestly and even took notes on how to assist the blind, Tina sensed her motives were not purely compassionate. In matters of fox spirits, she and Mayuna had somehow reached an unspoken understanding.

Yet the ever-carefree green-haired princess paid no heed to the other’s attitude and even mingled with her to learn how battle mages discern positions by sound. The petite girl earnestly taught her many techniques. Sometimes, they would sneak away to secretly share a drink, becoming unlikely partners in mischief.

However, the princess’s identity meant she could not stay long. As the empire’s teleportation array activated, it was time for her to depart.

“Ruby, your Mayuna is simply too much! That night, she actually threw me into a small town at the border of the Holy Empire. I’m a girl too—what if danger had come?”

Before the shimmering teleportation circle, Chiya grumbled, complaining to Ruby about Mayuna’s offense. In unfamiliar lands, it took her two whole days to return to the capital.

“Not my doing.” Ruby shook his head. The Archmage’s sister was impossible to control; with a reckless mother like Yura, it was no surprise the daughter followed suit.

“Pah! Girls are supposed to be delicate and weak, but you’re more of a tomboy at best.” Mayuna made a face at Chiya. She hadn’t wanted to come to see her off; the fewer fox spirits around, the better. But realizing that without her presence, they might cause trouble for Ruby, she reluctantly tagged along.

“You’re twenty years old but still act like a child.” Chiya shrugged helplessly. Despite Mayuna’s treatment, the petite girl bore no grudge, never quarreling. Ruby admired her calm temperament.

“What did you say!”

“Ruby, you’re truly remarkable. Back in the Blackstone Empire, when I first heard there were people without magic, I wasn’t interested. I went to Rhine merely for a trip and a glimpse of rare creatures. But I never expected your prowess—martial arts, cooking, medicine, you master it all. Even your system for caring for the blind is perfect. I admit, I’m intrigued.”

Ignoring the Archmage sister’s scowl, Chiya had come to believe Ruby was indeed as talented as his academy claimed. She hadn’t just been playing; she had learned the system from him, knowing the Blackstone Empire had many blind citizens. These skills could prove invaluable.

She had little to thank Ruby for, so she untied her ponytail, letting her red hair cascade freely, and handed him her hairband.

“Another life-saving gift?” Ruby asked, puzzled. The previous hairband had been worn to tatters by the teleportation array’s power.

“No. I’m not as talented as the people around you. Painting such intricate things takes time. But if you want, I’ll make you one in a few years.” Chiya shook her head, graciously admitting she was no match for Mayuna. Then she beckoned Ruby to bend down, for even standing on tiptoes was too tall for her to do what came next.

“Finally... if you ever tire of her temper and want to switch, count me in.”

Her lips brushed lightly against Ruby’s cheek, a faint smile playing there as she stepped into the teleportation circle. Since Mayuna persistently labeled her a fox spirit, she refused to live under that false title forever.

“What are you up to?” Ruby asked.

Chiya left with a carefree air, but Ruby noticed Mayuna’s hands restless, gathering magic, her face shadowed with a dark smile.

“Nothing much. But did you know teleportation arrays are never perfectly stable? If any link fails, the spatial tunnel collapses, and those inside become lost in an endless rift of space—forever!”

“Stop it at once!”

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P.S. Mayuna the Proud: I’ve got a song about a certain fox spirit!