The Skeleton Soldier Failed to Defend the Dungeon-Chapter 228: Buried Alive (8)

I'd felt it often, but this guy was truly incredible.

Is it even fair for someone to be this sharp?

It seemed like Isaac really did rule the entire Southern Empire once. If he regained both that intuition and his power, he'd be unstoppable. For someone to be cursed by the goddess, they'd really have to be something else. I was a bit concerned because I couldn't say anything in this situation, but at this point, I didn't even need to.

The magical oath scroll Naneow Tropin acquired was astounding. Under its effects, moving was close to impossible. I couldn't even flinch. All I could do was remain silent and still. Yet, even in that state, Isaac seemed to have already figured everything out.

He sharply knocked his beak together twice.

Tap tap.

Then, out of nowhere, he said something unexpected. "I can't trust your plan."

He's only in the stage of guessing, and he's already worried?

However, because of the magical constraint, I couldn't say a word. Thankfully, I didn't need to.

"Because I can't read into it." Isaac continued, "If I can't see into something, I don't trust it. I don't believe in things I don't understand."

"You live your life constantly suspicious of everything?"

"Sort of..." He tilted his beak in a subtle motion. "I just can't do it. I don't know how to explain it. I can't easily accept that other people can think too."

He believes he's the only one capable of thought... Now that's a serious psychological issue.

"I feel an even stronger sense of rejection against this. Would the imperial family really let the blood of the apostle get taken so easily when they've gone to such lengths to shroud everything in barriers?"

"..."

But the pendant didn't give a warning. Is it Lawrence, or whatever his name was?

Back when that creepy effiminate duke came to visit, the pendant activated. So it was unlikely that this situation was more dangerous than that.

Isaac finally let it go. "Well, try your best. It'll be great if it works. I'll go do some sightseeing around the capital."

"Tourism?"

"Yeah. You're not doing this right away, are you? Don't think about dumping the babysitting on me again..."

Flap flap.

"You take care of what you brought, bonehead!" Isaac exclaimed.

I didn't even get the chance to respond as Isaac flew off into the distance.

Maybe because of the cold dawn breeze that swept in through the window, Rubia slowly opened her eyes.

"Mm..."

Squirming beneath the white silk blanket, she blinked up at me with sleepy, wide eyes. Her cheeks were flushed red, and there were even small drops of moisture clinging to the corners of her eyes.

What kind of dream did she have?

Rubia uttered, "Uh... huh?"

My reflection was caught in her fresh, bright eyes just waking from sleep.

Click.

I shut the window again. "You're awake?"

"Yes!"

"Here's your identification."

I handed her the fake identity card for Countess Gratie as naturally as I could.

***

Rubia was surprised that I'd gotten it so quickly. She kept thanking me and all, so I swiftly changed the topic. It was embarrassing. Rubia was full of resolve to study everything about the Gratie family for a flawless cover.

With this, the tea party should go smoothly.

"But what identity will you use, Mr. Skeleton?" Rubia asked.

"I..." I pulled out the ID that said Knight Ameritatre and showed it to her. "I'll pretend to be your escort knight."

Rubia exclaimed, "My escort knight? That makes me happy! Just imagining you in that role makes me feel excited."

She had a dreamy expression on her face, but I already protected her anyway.

Then, as if she suddenly recalled something, she murmured, "But..."

"Something wrong?"

"No, I was just thinking about the meaning behind the name. Ameritatre..."

Rena had come up with that name.

Does it even mean anything?

I decided it was better to stay quiet than to mess up by saying something unnecessary.

"It's my favorite flower. It has black petals, but it's still so beautiful."

There is a flower like that?

Rubia's cheeks turned red again. "The flower's message is... the first snowfall with you. Since it's still spring, I can interpret it as you promising to stay with me until then, right?"

So that's what it means.

Of course, I had no idea. "Well, I mean... it just sounded nice."

I couldn't exactly say Rena came up with it. I kept getting caught in all sorts of awkward situations. Honestly, I was starting to wish the operation would just start already.

Someone knocked at the door.

Knock knock.

"Oh... yes! Please come in!"

Thankfully, Rubia stopped asking questions about the name. I opened the door.

A man stood there and gave a small bow. "Excuse me."

I thought maybe he was bringing breakfast, but he wasn't carrying a tray. He was one of the attendants who delivered the clothes. He was Blackberry's employee.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Lady Ivote sent another message."

He was talking about that tiny curly-haired girl.

"She wanted to confirm whether you will attend the tea party. She also said she'd be very happy if you came, and sent this letter."

That was thoughtful. Rubia had never been to a tea party before. For a first-timer, receiving this kind of warm invitation would surely help.

What exactly is a tea party?

Rubia had mentioned it in passing, but I wasn't actually sure what people did there. As she happily opened the letter, I quietly pondered.

Tea party... Do they just drink tea of various kinds? That sounds boring. There must be more to it. Did they play games like in Rena's shop? Something secretive like gambling or drugs? Could it be a problem?

Rubia picked up a pen. The soft sound of her writing a reply filled the room.

There was no way I was going to let her go alone.

***

It was the morning of the tea party. Rubia was extremely nervous. Varesi Blackberry hadn't stopped at sending a dress on the first day.

"The House of Ivote is one of our boutique's most distinguished clients. Since such a person has extended an invitation, I can't send you off looking anything less than perfect. I'm doing this for my own benefit, you see."

Regarded as having the best eye for fashion in the capital, Blackberry even summoned staff to handle Rubia's makeup and hair. From early dawn, the three of them worked together seamlessly to dress her up. I half expected her to collapse from exhaustion, but for some reason, Rubia showed not a hint of fatigue. Nor did the other three.

"The makeup artist kept repeating her admiration. "My goodness... I've never seen skin take makeup so well. It's so rewarding to apply products like this."

"All done," Blackberry said as she made the final adjustments to the dress.

Rubia slowly turned around.

"..."

I was stunned. Of course, I never thought Rubia wasn't beautiful. But I didn't know she could emit such an aura.

Has she always been hiding this level of allure?

For a moment, my mind went completely blank.

Rubia slowly said, "I... I don't look too strange, right?"

Even with a mirror, would she react that shyly?

Her slightly dazed expression was amusing. "If this were a ball, the capital would be in an uproar. Good thing it's just a tea party without men."

Blackberry smiled in satisfaction, like a craftsman proud of her finished masterpiece. "Enjoy yourself."

She left after sending a carriage to wait outside.

"Then... I'll be off now. Thank you so much!" Rubia said happily.

There was no reason for her to thank me, really.

Rubia stepped outside, and she probably assumed I wouldn't follow her. After all, she had told me that men weren't allowed at tea parties. Of course, that didn't mean I had any intention of staying behind.

Rustle.

[Skill: Stealth Lv. 6 activated.]

I erased all traces of my presence and melted into the air. We've lived in luxury at a top-tier inn for the last few days, but I knew better than Rubia the horrors she's endured until now. There was no reason to do something insane like letting her go alone. If I'd told her in advance that I planned to follow, she would've stopped me, not wanting to cause trouble.

Swish.

I leaped between rooftops, tailing the carriage route. Thanks to the thick rubber on the wheels and well-maintained roads, the ride was smooth and quiet. Once I identified the destination, I moved ahead to scout it.

The exterior of the mansion looked somewhat aged, but as I stepped through the open gate, I began to sense the air of a true noble estate. From the gardens to each stone of the outer walls, everything was immaculately cared for. It had a refined, mature elegance to it, as there wasn't a single sign of neglect or decay. I slipped past the guards and entered the inner garden directly.

'It's far too easy for a marquis's estate...'

I didn't know about the inside, but looking from the outside, I could've easily killed every single noble daughter gathered at the estate.

Well, the issue isn't with the estate.

I was simply too strong. I scanned the attendees already in the garden.

A black-haired girl with a beauty mark near her eye smiled sweetly, showing a hint of crooked teeth. "My, what an honor to be invited to the Ivote family's rose garden!"

People generally fell into two groups. One group tried hard to appear harmless, like the black-haired girl, who was the daughter of a baronial family. The other group kept their backs straight and their smiles thin, trying not to look too easygoing.

They all seemed a bit off. All of them were still immature.

Various introductions and small talk floated around.

At the edge of the grand table, a red-haired girl who had been standing with a relaxed posture finally introduced herself. "Nice to meet you. I'm Sisel Ridbaren. My father is Count Ridbaren."

For a moment, every eye turned to her.

"Ah, Renaud the Truth!"

"Yes."

She offered a curt smile. It was as if to say, "All of you here are beneath me."

Naturally, she took the seat right next to the host's spot at the center of the table, which was a contrast to the other girls who were still standing and chatting. I thought she must come from a truly influential family.

One of the other count's daughters asked a maid, "When will we be seated?"

"It changed last minute... the head maid will bring out the scones and begin seating shortly. Ah, Lady Ivote is arriving."

Sisela Avant had been sitting alone. She then stood up and dusted her dress. The golden-haired girl we'd seen at the jewelry shop was now crossing the garden with light steps. Somehow, Rubia was at her side.

Wait, has she always been that outgoing?

The golden-haired girl was clutching both of Rubia's arms as they walked, like they were linking arms.

Everyone stared at Rubia, whispering with puzzled expressions.

"Is that the young lady the host invited?"

Walking through the rows of colorful roses, Rubia's beauty was enough to dazzle even a few of the other girls. Of course, not everyone was admiring her. Some gazes carried suspicion and hostility.

"I heard a lady from the countryside was invited..."

"Never even heard of that family. Maybe she grew up somewhere with clean air and good water, no stress. She is pretty, though..."

As they walked past, the head maid whispered something to Lady Ivote, who nodded. At her gesture, the maids began moving swiftly, laying out tea sets for the exact number of guests. A name card was placed at each table. The noble girls naturally moved to their assigned seats.

Clack.

The middle spots filled quickly. Only three or four were left.

Rattle.

However, there were no name cards to the left of the host's seat, where Count Ridbaren's daughter was standing, and two spots at the very end of the table, where the edge was chipped. The broken spot had no blooming roses, only thorny vines. Even sunlight was blocked by nothing, with no shade from trees.

"Excuse me..."

The golden-haired girl smiled brightly and curtsied lightly before Countess Ridbaren's daughter.

"This seat is reserved."

The girl who once stammered outside the jewelry shop was now unrecognizable.

Clack.

A maid gently placed a nameplate next to her. The air turned cold. Something was wrong. The quiet sound of someone clenching their fist rang too sharply. This wasn't the kind of tea party Rubia or I had imagined.