If there was an upper-level spirit like the one who’d made a contract with Sango, it would be a different story since they would have a stronger sense of individuality, but most upper-level or higher spirits rarely showed themselves in public. In fact, there being this many supreme-level spirits in the Nation of the Dragon King was an oddity, to say the least.
“I could get them to obey if I just told them not to lend those people a hand, but...” Kotaro trailed off.
“If the palace has fallen with the Beast King and troops imprisoned and you just make the spirits back off, the Furgal troops will inflict harm on the Beast King. That’s why I will go and order the spirits directly,” Ruri said, her resolute eyes looking at each and every person who was against her idea.
“What if...you gave them the order to kick out the Furgal troops? They should be able to manage without the troops there, right?” Euclase suggested.
Rin shook her head. “They might not be able to tell the difference, and they might even drive out the wrong people from the Nation of the Beast King.”
“To the spirits, they can’t tell the people of the nations apart,” Kotaro clarified.
“Urgh... Well, that’s an issue,” Euclase groaned, their idea quickly rejected by the two spirits.
“Going there is the best way to mitigate damage,” Ruri desperately pleaded with Jade.
He seemed indecisive. Barely any time had passed since the death of the emperor and Arman was in dire straits. There was no way Jade didn’t want to help his longtime friend. However, Ruri was his number one concern. And for the Nation of the Dragon King, the safety of Beloveds was the number one priority.
Jade wavered in his decision, not wanting to expose Ruri to danger. After a short silence, he said in a hoarse voice, “But the Nation of the Beast King is considerably far from here. By the time you arrive, it could already be too late, Ruri.”
“Yes. You might wind up witnessing some gruesome sights,” Euclase said, also trying to stop her in a desperate attempt.
However, Ruri, being who she was, had a trick up her sleeve. “That won’t be a problem. I can be in the Nation of the Beast King in less than a minute.”
Everyone’s eyes widened in shock.
“How? Even if you had Lord Kotaro use his wind powers to send you there, it would take you several days,” Jade protested.
“That is right, Ruri,” Euclase added.
“Jade-sama, Euclase-san, you’re both forgetting something. I’m Lydia’s contract-bearer. Don’t you remember that I had a tea party with Seraphie-san, who’s far away in Yadacain, just the other day?”
“Oh!” gasped everyone as if they had either forgotten or not realized.
“We had it in Quartz-sama’s pocket space. I can enter other people’s pocket spaces. Which means that I can also exit from that person’s pocket space. If I cross one space into another and enter the Beast King’s room, all I have to do is exit from there and I’ll be right in the Nation of the Beast King,” Ruri said with confidence.
“But that would mean only you could go since you have a contract with Lydia. That’s too dangerous!” Jade pointed out.
“If there are spirits over there, we’ll be fine.”
“But...” Jade was not easily convinced. Or maybe “belligerent” was a more accurate description.
“Jade-sama, we have no time to debate. People are in mortal peril as we speak.”
“Urk!” He had no counterargument.
“Say, Kotaro. The Beast King is still alive, right?” asked Ruri.
“Indeed. He’s imprisoned in a cell with magic-sealing shackles, but he is alive.”
“Then could you order them not to listen to the Furgal’s Beloveds’ requests beforehand? And then tell them to follow my instructions. That way the Furgal forces won’t be able to use magic and we can save the Beast King and the others with the spirits’ help.”
Kotaro grimaced, resigned, and reluctantly agreed to help. “Fine, then...”
That left just one issue left.
“Jade-sama, there’s no time to be picky. You should understand, right, Jade-sama? There’s a baby involved. We can’t let them be born without knowing their father’s face!” Ruri told him as if to land the finishing blow. “Plus, would you let Celestine-san’s efforts go in vain? She risked her life to save that mother and her child’s life. She turned to me, bruised and battered, because she thought I was the one person who could help her. I can’t just betray the trust she has in me!” Ruri exclaimed, seeing Jade react with a tiny twitch.
“Fine, then... Just try not to overdo it,” Jade warned.
“Of course,” Ruri replied, aware of the danger.
Jade took a number of vials from his pocket space and left them in front of Ruri. Following suit, Euclase, Claus, and Agate put bottles of the red liquid in front of Ruri as well.
It was the dragon medicine. This was the secret medicine of the dragonkins that could heal any wound or illness.
“Take these with you. Who knows how many people are injured over there,” said Jade.
“Thank you so much!” Ruri said, bowing her head to everyone who had provided the medicine. She put the bottles into the pocket space first and then stepped in herself.
Kotaro and Rin called out from behind her.
“We will tell the spirits to protect you and follow your orders,” said Kotaro.
“Make sure to be careful. Come back as soon as you’re done,” added Rin.
Wind and water mana wrapped around Ruri’s body, as if added for good measure. Kotaro and Rin seemed satisfied with the build of their barriers, so even without having a spirit to protect her, it was impossible for anyone to lay a finger on her.
With a feeling of reassurance in her heart, Ruri plunged into the pocket space. Once she left, the royal office became as dour as a wake, with Jade being the most depressed of them all.
“Is my only option to rely on Ruri?” he asked, distressed.
Kotaro growled at him. “You just do what you need to as the Dragon King. That will benefit Ruri too.” After saying that, he and Rin left the office.
Jade wiped the pained expression off his face, lifted his head, and returned to looking like a king before giving Euclase and the others orders.
✦ ✦ ✦
Ruri found Lydia waiting for her after diving into the pocket space.
“Lydia, I need a favor,” Ruri said, cutting to the chase, looking more serious than usual.
Lydia simply smiled. “It’s okay. No need to explain.”
She snapped her fingers, transporting them to the world behind the pocket space where only she and her contract-bearers were allowed. A spiral staircase with countless rows of doors appeared, and they teleported to the front of one door in the blink of an eye.
“This is the Beast King’s room.”
Ruri knew Lydia was the Spirit of Time and Space, but she was amazed that she had found a specific room out of the countless number of rooms in here.