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Chapter 86 Part 2 – Things that never change. And a promise. In order to protect the lives of the mother and the baby, Countess Rosenthal will put everything on the line to fight against Alisa.

Bradd also cried out in amazement.

「…… Strength is returning to her heartbeat. The light of the Ruby has revitalized her life force ……? That’s amazing. Even with the secret techniques of the〈Lawless Crew〉, there was nothing more that could be done to help her in a conventional way. But is this kind of recovery possible with treatment alone?」

Yeah, I think so too. There must be another reason ……

Bradd, who had been tilting his head to the side in confusion, suddenly clapped his hands together as if he got an idea.

「Come to think of it, when I’m in extremely close contact with the ruby-wearing Sca-chibi, it felt like my physical abilities got a boost. It makes sense now.」

This cross-dressing maid scoundrel.
Why are you suddenly bringing up the past and taking an unnecessary detour?!
Moreover, don’t say anything that might be misunderstood.
Look, Arnold is dumbfounded now.
And Seraphy’s way of speaking has changed to a historical drama tone, ‘I do not believe that is the truth’.
Bradd is referring to a piggyback ride or a shoulder ride!! It has nothing to do with sensuality.

「Anyway, what a relief. But I was so fired up, and then the Ruby took away the climax. That’s so uncool.」

Bradd mischievously stuck his tongue out. Could it be that he got a bit timid from an inferiority complex to the ruby?

…… Uncool? No way, to me, you are the greatest hero ever.

Huh? Bradd’s ears are red?

Gyaaaahhh!! He’s reading my mind again without my permission!!

You are such a rude scoundrel to forcibly intrude on a maiden’s secret!! I’ll turn your blood into rust on my sword!!

「…… Didn’t I die ……? Besides, this is ……」

After regaining her consciousness, Countess Rosenthal was unable to understand the situation and was bewildered.

And then, after repeatedly giving Bradd a light punch, I followed her gaze and finally noticed the anomaly in the surroundings.

Beyond the veil of the Ruby’s light, the movements of the red nobles had stopped. They were frozen with a panicked expression on their face. It’s kind of weird to see Lady York stuck in a hurried pose while giving out instructions. She looked desperate, and when I looked closely, I could see tears in her eyes. She’s truly worried about Countess Rosenthal. She seemed to have a dry personality, but I guess she has her own way to express her feelings.

We are the only ones who are exempted from the mysterious power and are able to move.

「…… I can’t believe this. The time of our surroundings has stopped ……? Is this also one of the powers of the True Emperor’s Ruby? I didn’t know that such a thing was possible ……」

The normally calm and collected Seraphy was confused and flustered. Looks like he’s stopped talking like a historical drama character. Well, he must be feeling like the floor beneath his feet is collapsing as he’s usually so extensively knowledgeable. But I knew right away. This is not a time stop. As evidence of that, the flames of the candles were still flickering, albeit a lot slower than usual.

「That’s not it, Seraphy. It’s not that time has stopped. This is Addis’s technique …… A technique called ‘Dark Illusion’ that makes the user unable to be perceived by the opponent. To think that it can do something like this …… I see. From the user’s point of view, he sees his opponents like this.」

Bradd, who had experienced firsthand a life-and-death battle against Addis, was the first to discover the truth and he made a somewhat excited grunt.

A member of the Seven Phantoms, Addis the Faceless, one-sidedly toyed with us with his invisible attacks. Just like us at that time, the red nobles are currently unable to see us or hear our conversation.

I once again shuddered at the unfathomable power of the Ruby of the True Emperor. To think that it can activate the ‘Dark Illusion’ technique of the aberrant Seven Phantoms for all of us ……

Maybe in the ‘Dark Illusion’, the damage is also transmitted more slowly. That’s most likely the reason why the Ruby invoked this technique …… That way the Ruby’s healing would be faster than the damage. Which is why the Countess regained her consciousness.」

I agree with Bradd’s observations.
That would also explain Addis’s immortality.

「Rona!! What a relief ……!!」

「…… W-Wendell-sama ……!!」

After being hugged by my delighted father, the Countess’s face turned bright red. But she quickly came to a realization and hardened her expression.

「Pardon my rudeness. Cornelia-san. …… You shouldn’t do this, Wendell-sama. I can’t believe that you, a renowned devoted husband, would take my nonsense so seriously that you would actually take me in your arms. Fufu, I’m indeed a wicked and sly fox, but Cornelia’s sharp eyes can see right through my act. I do not have the courage to antagonize Cornelia-san any further.」

Saying that, she slipped out of my father’s arms and tried to sit on the couch by herself.

We panicked. So did my father.

「You shouldn’t move yet. Rona ……!!」

She was dying just moments ago. There should be a limit to recklessness.

But the Countess’s determination was firm and she frantically pushed away my father’s chest, desperately trying to escape.

Umm. I don’t think a wicked and sly fox would react like that though ……
She’s acting like a female student trying to leave in a panic after being accidentally seen talking to her best friend’s boyfriend ……

The Countess was so desperate that she had a coughing fit and we were shocked.
That scared me. I thought she was going to vomit blood.
It would be terrible if something happens after we try to forcibly stop her.
But in that case, what are we supposed to do in this situation ……

It was mother who succeeded in appeasing the Countess.

Mother spread her arms out wide.
And then, she gently hugged Countess Rosenthal along with my father.

「…… Countess Rosenthal, this is how I feel. You are not a wicked woman. I can’t even count how many times Wendell told us about this wonderful girl named Rona-san. With tears in his eyes, he said that he couldn’t protect that girl and that he couldn’t even apologize to her …… I am truly happy that you two are able to meet again ……」

「…… Cornelia-san …… you are so ……」

Mhm, as expected of my mother. Countess Rosenthal burst into tears and became meek in one shot. At times like this, one gentle hug is better than a thousand words. Mother is beginning to look like a goddess.

「…… She instantly neutralized the target. As expected of my master, she is indeed the successor to that legendary battle costume ……」

Said the idiot Arnold as he gulped his saliva.
You’re going to ruin the moment, so just shut up.

The image I had of my mother as an immaculate goddess clad in a white veil has instantly changed into the image of a raging goddess of war wearing Melville’s shameless battle costume!!

Anyway!! My mother who has suffered from bullying understands the pain in people’s hearts. After all, there’s no way Rona wouldn’t want to be hugged by my father in this reunion with the person whom she had longed for with all her heart. I’m really proud to be the daughter of such a cool mother.

Mother gently pulled away from Countess Rosenthal.

「Come on, Wendell ……」

At her encouragement, father nodded and tightened his arms around Countess Rosenthal.

「…… I’m sorry, Rona …… I’ve always wanted to see you again. I wanted to apologize. And yet, I didn’t recognize you when you were located so close to me and even continuously hated you ……!! I did such a terrible thing ……!!」

Countess Rosenthal sobbed at my father’s tearful voice.

「…… I’m the one who should apologize …… Without saying anything to Wendell-sama, Marielle-san, and the three old men who I’m so indebted to, I …… I just caused you trouble and then disappeared …… How ungrateful of me …… I’m sorry ……!!」

「…… Rona, you must have some heartfelt reason that you couldn’t tell us, right? I’m well-aware of your sincere heart. And it’s not just me. Marielle-san and the three old men also knew that. We would never think that Rona is ungrateful. All we want is for you to be alive. We wanted you to come back no matter what form you are in. That was all we wanted.」

「…… All of you …… did ……? …… Wendell …… -sama ……!!」

The trembling Countess Rosenthal was like a lost little bird.
With wounded wings, she continued to fly in solitude.
But she finally made it back to her perch.