RATBA Chapter 23

 

I wanted to explain things to Nathan in detail, but it wasn’t easy.

There was no time to waste right now.

Since I couldn’t delay any longer, I asked again.

“So, can you prepare the things I mentioned?”

“Of course, it’s possible. I’ll arrange a ship, a captain to sail it, and some knights soon.”

It was my turn to be surprised by Nathan’s quick answer.

“You’re trusting me more easily than I thought? I was ready to spend quite a while persuading you.”

“Well, I know you wouldn’t lie about something like this. If you say it’s there, then it’s there.”

A warm feeling surged deep in my heart toward Nathan.

“Thank you for trusting me. Please do your best. If I succeed in forming a pact with the spirit, it won’t be hard to make great achievements in the war.”

But that wasn’t all.

‘If I gather all the spirits as required to clear the game, I might be able to return to my original home.’

I didn’t have any proof, but anyone in my situation would think the same.

Since I had been brought here when the game started, it was only natural to hope that finishing the game would take me back.

I strengthened my resolve to find the spirits no matter what.

“I’ll go get my father’s permission in the meantime. After all, I am going somewhere dangerous.”

The Duke had recently shown me his sincere heart as a father.

So I decided to face him with sincerity as his daughter.

That was why I wanted to get his permission before embarking on this long journey.

Nathan nodded as if he understood.

“Alright. Make sure to come back by tomorrow.”

“…That soon?”

“It’s possible if you hurry. Just get permission and return quickly.”

“Will you be upset if I’m late?”

He murmured while pressing his lips to my forehead.

“Of course. Not even a minute late.”

That left no room for hesitation.

I immediately combed through his hair and prepared to leave.

—

When I returned from the imperial palace, my father greeted me warmly.

It was rare to see such a bright smile on his face.

But that smile soon vanished without a trace—because I told him I was going to Sharko Island.

“…Sharko Island? Do you even know where that is? It’s a place known to have more monsters than animals. I absolutely cannot allow this!”

“But according to my research at the Imperial Library, there might be a spirit sleeping there.”

“The Imperial Library? What are you talking about? Are you sure you didn’t just get confused by reading a fairy tale…?”

“No, that’s not it!”

It was frustrating that I couldn’t reveal my knowledge of this world.

I had no idea how to persuade him.

“Even His Highness Nathan said he would come with me! And the situation has become really complicated… I have to find the spirit!”

“His Highness is going too?”

My father, who had been firmly in the ‘absolutely not’ camp, reacted differently for the first time.

Just hearing that Nathan would accompany me made a difference.

‘He must trust Nathan quite a bit, despite appearances.’

I wasn’t trusted, but I couldn’t help feeling proud.

I straightened my shoulders and said confidently, “Yes. He’s also arranging skilled knights and a sturdy ship. I won’t be going alone.”

“Hm…”

“And I’m not mistaken. I found it in a forbidden book hidden in the Imperial Library. It’s reliable information—the spirit is there.”

He seemed to be leaning toward granting permission.

In a softened tone, he murmured, “Even so, I’m still worried… I’ll need to find someone to watch over you… Ah, that one.”

“That one?”

“Luke. He’s been busy lately, but he’ll gladly look out for his little sister.”

“…”

Hearing Luke’s name dampened my mood as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over me.

The excitement I had felt at the thought of finding the spirit quickly evaporated.

Honestly, I would have preferred if I didn’t have a brother like him.

But I didn’t want to worry my father, so I quietly shook my head.

“Ah… no, he’s probably busy. It’s okay…”

“If his sister is going somewhere dangerous, it’s only right that he follows. The children of the Duke’s house should at least have that much affection for each other.”

The Duke was strict with both his son and daughter, though he was far harsher with Luke.

Luke would never reveal his true nature in front of our father, which was why he didn’t know how much I suffered at his hands.

“There probably won’t be any real danger. His Highness will be with me, and we’ll bring many knights.”

“But His Highness can’t always be by your side. And no knight, no matter how skilled, will care for you like your own blood.”

I imagined what would happen if I told my father how Luke mistreated me because of Naila.

My father would summon Luke immediately, and Luke would deny everything, claiming I was lying.

Then my father would probably ask me again, with a puzzled look, “Did your brother really torment you?”

At that point, I decided not to say anything.

‘If I tell the truth, things will get too complicated. I promised Nathan I’d be back at the palace by tomorrow.’

My head throbbed painfully.

For now, I decided to keep the truth about Luke and my strained relationship a secret.

“…Alright. But let me check if he even has time first.”

“Hm?”

“If he has a very, very, *very* important engagement tomorrow, it might be hard for him to join me.”

Hearing this, my father gave a nod.

‘Even if it’s important, he should cancel it to protect his sister!’

Thankfully, he didn’t say that aloud.

I sighed deeply, hoping Luke would be too busy to come.

—

Luke stormed out of the Duke’s study, his face twisted in frustration.

He had just heard something utterly absurd.

[Claudia is going to Sharko Island. Go with her and protect her from any danger.]

The Duke had ordered Luke to accompany Claudia for about three weeks.

Luke immediately tried to refuse, but it was pointless.

As always, the Duke crushed his protests with his stern authority.

“Damn it.”

The thought of wasting three weeks for that sly and mean girl disgusted him.

He had said he would go, but he planned to find a way to get out of it.

‘Claudia… pretending to be weak now? How revolting. She was full of energy when tormenting Naila.’

Luke recalled Naila’s bruised arm.

She had told him that Claudia pinched her.

The blue marks covering her arm looked like something caused by torture.

‘Poor Naila.’

Seething with anger, Luke headed not to his room but to the training grounds.

Thanks to his talent for swordsmanship, inherited from their father, he always found clarity in training.

‘I need to cleanse my mind with sword practice. Just hearing Claudia’s name makes me feel filthy.’

He grabbed a heavy sword and swung it repeatedly, sweating profusely.

The more he sweated, the clearer his mind became.

Gone were thoughts of his father’s concerns about his relationship with Claudia…

Or his mother’s dying wish, asking him to take care of Claudia…

In those moments of exertion, nothing else existed.

Then—

“Brother.”

It was Naila’s voice.

Luke stopped what he was doing and turned toward her.

“Naila.”

“Is it true? Are you really going with Claudia to find the spirit?”

Luke wiped the sweat from his forehead with annoyance.

“No. I’ll find a way out of it.”

He discarded the sword and approached Naila.

Her wide green eyes reflected him entirely.

“I’m not going to waste three weeks babysitting someone like her. Don’t worry; I’ll stay here.”

Naila had always feared being abandoned if Luke left.

But this time, she shook her head.

“No, that’s not it…”

“What do you mean?”

“I want to go too.”

Her answer surprised him.

Luke paused, his hand still on her head.

“Why?”

“I have people to rely on—His Highness, you… But she doesn’t have anyone.”

Naila lowered her head and mumbled softly,

“She’s too pitiful…”

“Have you forgotten how she tormented you? Pitiful, really?”

Luke clenched his teeth in frustration.

This was the one thing he could never agree with.