An Unexpected Turn

In the cramped room of the Slag Inn, the flickering fire in the hearth barely managed to ward off the early winter chill.

As Rachel and Ruby pushed open the door, they found Vera clumsily attempting to wipe away the caked-on grime from Naiya’s face, while Naiya herself huddled like a frightened little creature, her body slightly curled.

Upon hearing the door open, Naiya’s one intact right eye stared vigilantly at the entrance, but as soon as she recognized Rachel, her tense body instantly relaxed, her gaze filled with pure dependence.

“Lady Rachel! And Ruby! You’re back!” Vera immediately stood up, her face etched with concern and anticipation. “You didn’t encounter any danger, did you?”

“The shadowy figure that attacked us is dead, and we rescued Barton afterward, so it was a close call, but we’re safe.”

Rachel spoke succinctly, placing the two small packages she carried onto the table. One package contained clean, plain coarse cloth, while the other was wrapped in slightly finer linen.

“In any case, this matter is temporarily concluded.”

As Rachel spoke, her gaze fell upon Naiya. The little girl was still clad in her thin, tattered clothes, their original color indiscernible, and the bandage over her left eye was filthy.

Rachel then picked up the plain cloth package and unwrapped it, revealing two brand-new outfits: one a durable, dark blue cotton skirt-and-trousers set, the other a slightly thicker brown tweed coat and trousers. The size appeared just right for Naiya’s slender frame.

‘I bought these in my own size… why do they seem to fit perfectly?’

Rachel muttered softly to herself, then held out the clothes to Naiya, her tone flat.

“These are for you. Go on, quickly change out of those rags.”

Naiya’s right eye instantly widened, staring blankly at the clean, soft new clothes before her, then looking up at Rachel, seemingly unable to comprehend what was happening. Subconsciously, she clutched the tattered hem of her old clothes, her knuckles turning white.

“Naiya?” Vera gently touched her shoulder, whispering a reminder. “Quickly, thank Lady Rachel!”

Naiya’s body trembled slightly. She lowered her head, and in a voice barely audible, she awkwardly squeezed out two words.

“Tha-thank you…”

Naiya’s voice was as hoarse as sandpaper rubbing. She cautiously extended her hand, her fingertips lightly touching the dark blue cotton top, as if afraid to dirty it. For the first time, a faint glimmer of joy, beyond dependence and fear, flickered in her eyes.

Rachel nodded, then handed the other linen package to Vera.

“And this is for you.”

Vera froze for a moment, clumsily accepting the package, clearly flustered.

“F-for me? I get one too?!”

She opened it to find a soft, off-white wool dress, its neckline and cuffs embroidered with simple lace. Though not luxurious, it was a very respectable garment for a maid.

“My Lady! Th-this is too precious! How could I…”

Vera’s face instantly flushed crimson, her hands trembling as she held the clothes, the sheer surprise rendering her incoherent. She had never imagined receiving a gift from Rachel.

“Take it.”

Rachel waved her hand, her tone still unruffled.

“You’ve been running around with me these past few days, facing danger several times, and even getting injured. You’ve worked hard. This… is a small token of my appreciation.”

Rachel paused, then added, “Tomorrow, we’ll be visiting the merchant guild. Remember to wear this dress; don’t disgrace the Lockwood name.”

“Y-yes, my Lady! Thank you, my Lady!”

Vera was so excited she almost jumped, clutching the wool dress tightly, her face radiating pure happiness. Yet beneath this joy, a subtle unease, one she hadn’t fully recognized herself, quietly began to grow—

Lady Rachel was truly… too different from before. The old Lady Rachel would never have given gifts; not using a whip was already a kindness. This change, though flattering, also left Vera feeling a strange, indefinable apprehension.

Ruby observed the scene with a cold detachment, her gaze lingering for a moment on Naiya, who clutched her new clothes like a precious treasure.

She walked over to Rachel, her voice dropped to a barely audible whisper, tinged with an almost imperceptible seriousness.

“My Lady, I have no objection to you giving Vera clothes. But buying clothes for that little girl… do you intend to keep her by your side indefinitely?”

Rachel did not immediately answer. She watched Naiya clumsily try to put on the new coat, with Vera laughing and helping her adjust it. Naiya felt Rachel’s gaze and immediately stopped, her right eye locking onto Rachel again with complete trust, as if Rachel was the only person left in her world.

“Yes.”

Rachel finally responded, meeting Ruby’s disapproving gaze with a calm expression.

“Naiya certainly possesses unsettling power; I don’t deny that. But she is currently helpless, and the loss of control over her power was not her intention. Essentially, she is just a child who has been through too much.”

She paused, as if convincing Ruby, and perhaps herself.

“With proper guidance, Naiya might well become an asset. Moreover, the territory is desperately short of people right now; having another capable hand isn’t a bad thing at all.”

‘The latter reason is the main one,’ Rachel silently added in her heart.

“An asset?”

Ruby’s voice held a hint of mockery.

“Are you sure she isn’t a ticking time bomb? Her power’s origin is unknown; she might harm you one day. She might even be connected to the Cult…”

“Ruby.”

Rachel interrupted Ruby, her tone firm and decisive.

“I understand your concerns. But this is my decision.”

She watched as Naiya, with Vera’s help, finally put on the new dark blue top. Although Naiya remained silent, her straightened posture and the faint glimmer in her eyes made her appear much livelier. Rachel’s gaze softened for a moment.

“At least, she looks much more presentable now.”

Ruby pressed her lips together, eventually letting out a cold snort and saying no more, but the vigilance in her amber eyes remained undiminished.

Rachel turned back to Ruby, lowering her voice until only the two of them could hear.

“Oh, I almost forgot. Ruby, I need you to run an errand for me tonight, to confirm something…”

Rachel leaned closer to Ruby’s ear, whispering a few swift words. Ruby’s pupils constricted slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing her face before settling into cold understanding. She asked no questions, merely giving a very slight nod.

“Understood.”

The next morning, at the Raven Guild branch in Iron Anvil Town.

Although the guild’s doors remained closed, the internal atmosphere was even more orderly than yesterday. Rachel arrived precisely on time, accompanied by Vera and Naiya.

Vera had changed into her new off-white wool dress, and though a little self-conscious, she looked much cleaner and sharper. Naiya wore the dark blue cotton skirt-and-trousers set, topped with the brown tweed coat, and the bandage over her left eye had been replaced with a clean strip of cloth. Though her small face remained pale and her eyes timidly clung to Rachel, she at least no longer resembled a street urchin.

Only Ruby was absent, her whereabouts unknown.

Siena was already waiting in the hall. Seeing Rachel and her companions enter, a warm smile bloomed on her face. Her gaze lingered for a moment on Vera and Naiya’s new clothes, but then quickly shifted to Rachel.

“Lady Lockwood, you’ve arrived. Barton heard you were coming and insisted on seeing you personally.”

As she spoke, Siena led the three towards an inner room.

Barton was now able to stand, and his complexion was much better than yesterday. Though still haggard, his spirits were visibly lifted. Seeing Rachel enter, he immediately offered a grateful smile.

“Lady Lockwood! It’s truly wonderful that you could come! Miss Ruby doesn’t seem to be here, and this is…”

His gaze fell upon Naiya, who was clinging tightly to Rachel.

“Naiya,” Rachel introduced simply.

“Oh, Miss Naiya.”

Barton smiled gently, then turned to Rachel, his tone sincere and solemn.

“My Lady, yesterday I was not in a fit state to properly express my gratitude. This life-saving kindness, I can never repay! Once matters here in Iron Anvil Town are settled, I will personally travel to the Lockwood territory to formally thank you! Afterward, no matter what difficulties you encounter, I will dedicate all my strength to assist you!”

Rachel smiled faintly, appearing quite composed.

“Mr. Barton, you are too kind. Our purpose in coming here was originally to seek assistance from the merchant guild, so saving you was an unexpected bonus. Since the matter is concluded, we should take our leave.”

She glanced at Siena as she spoke.

“By the way, as per yesterday’s agreement, I’ll have my maid hand over the item to you, Mr. Barton.”

A flicker of barely concealed eagerness and greed flashed in Barton’s eyes. He moved closer to Vera, extending his hand, his face beaming with a grateful smile.

“Thank you for your cooperation, my Lady! Rest assured, I will properly safeguard and thoroughly research this Dragon Stone! Should I make any discoveries about it, or find any leads on the Cult, I will immediately send someone to inform you, my Lady!”

Just then!

A sharp whoosh suddenly sliced through the air! A crimson blur shot forth like a phantom from the shadows in the hall’s corner! It was Ruby! The dagger in her hand transformed into a cold gleam, imbued with undisguised killing intent, striking directly at Barton’s throat! Its speed left only an afterimage in the air!

The attack was utterly sudden! Vera shrieked in fright, quickly shielding Rachel. Siena’s face also changed drastically, letting out a gasp of alarm.

“Stop!”

However, an even more astonishing scene unfolded!

Facing this sudden, fatal assault, Barton, who had been weakly propped up against his bed the day before, instantly unleashed a chilling glint in his eyes, utterly unbefitting a merchant! His body arched backward with incredible speed and at an impossible angle, while his right hand snapped up with lightning speed, his fingers forming a claw, and precisely clamped onto Ruby’s dagger-wielding wrist! His movements were swift and vicious, the reactions of a truly seasoned combatant!

A crisp clang of metal on metal rang out! Ruby’s dagger was barely parried by Barton’s claw, scraping past his shoulder and sending a shower of sparks—it seemed he wore some kind of hard protective gear on his arm!

Failing to land her strike, Ruby immediately used the momentum to leap backward, landing steadily in front of Rachel, her dagger held horizontally before her chest, her eyes as cold as frost, locked onto Barton.

The entire inner room fell into an instant, deathly silence! Vera, still reeling from shock, stared at Ruby, bewildered as to why she had suddenly attacked; Siena gaped at the instantly changed, unfamiliar “Barton”; Naiya, terrified, clutched Rachel’s cloak even tighter.

Rachel stood her ground, her face betraying not the slightest surprise, only a cold comprehension. She looked at Barton’s bewildered and uncertain expression, a cold curve playing on her lips.

“Mr. Barton… why would you assume that the maid I spoke of was Vera?”