The Crimson Tale of Conquest

---Sara's POV---

"Augh!"

After being knocked down for the fifth time today my body decided I had enough and would'nt respond to me no matter what I did. 'Is it me or is Miss Ruby getting better at detecting me?' After about five minutes of just lying in the dirt ground of the training yard I finally manage to push myself onto my feet.

Miss Ruby watched me stand backup; her Golden eyes appeared to be glaring at me like always. There wasn't any maliciousness behind them, but if you didn't know her you probably would be wondering what you did to upset her. From my perspective she just looked exasperated. After getting to my feet, I made my way over to where she stood. When I was standing directly in front of her I asked, "Are you getting better at detecting me or something?"

"... No," She said simply, "Your actions are just too predictable. I haven't gotten better at detecting you, but you tend to attack roughly the same pattern every time."

"Oh...." I said, embarrassed.

"... I've taught you the basics, but you have to build off of what I taught you and do your own thing." She started lecturing. "You are very by the book, but that won't save you in a real fight. I know I've been hammering a lot into you in a very short amount of time, but I'm leaving soon. I want you to at least be able to protect yourself while I'm gone."

Miss Ruby sighed and rubbed her eyes looking tired. I smiled when I heard the last part of what she said. Even though she acts like she wants nothing to do with me, and she probably does, she still has some interest in my well-being. Even if it's a tiny amount. I hope anyway. Miss Ruby then looked towards the sun, checking its position in the sky. I also looked and noticed the sun would soon set in a couple of hours.

"... I think it's time we end things here child." She said, her eyes looking distant and distracted. "I know we didn't train as long today, but I got some business to attend too."

Without another word she started walking away. I was a little upset by this, mostly because I felt this weird kinship with her. It was a similar feeling I had when it came to my brother and late mother. She was the third person I've met in my life who gave this weird feeling of connection. Even though I've only met her about three more times after our initial meeting, Yuki also gave me the same feeling of kinship, even if it was weaker. Just as a side note the familial feeling, I got from Miss Ruby was greater than my own mother and brother. I have no idea why this is though.

I feel closer to these strangers than my own father. Don't get me wrong I deeply respect my father, but I didn't see him as family. No matter how hard I try too. Yet Miss Ruby and even Yuki, who scares me, feels more like family. I do have one theory, but I can't really prove it until I confirm something with Ruby's sister Yuki. I thought of this as I watched her leave.

I was also curious about where she was going. She never ended a lesson early, plus she arrived here late today. Quickly making up my mind I decided to follow her. I've done it before and got scolded for it, but I figured as long as I stuck with her, I wouldn't be in any real danger. It's difficult to notice me normally too, but when I really try to hide my presence, it's even harder to notice I'm there. Miss Ruby is still able to notice me at the last second during training somehow though.

After leaving the Inner wall district, and hit the main road, Miss Ruby started to slowly run. Though for me it was a full-on dash. I wasn't sprinting, but it was tiring to keep up with her. I followed her as she ducked into an alleyway, taking back roads and narrow alleys, twisting and turning as she went. Thankfully she walked during this time, so I was able to keep pace without tiring out.

Eventually she came to an abrupt stop, scratched her head, and muttered, "I think I'm lost."

"...pft-" Her words were so unsuspected I let a bit of laughter escape before I quickly covered my mouth. She twitched a little and looked in my direction, but thankfully she didn't notice me.

She started walking again muttering to herself all the while, talking about how, "It has to be here." or "Not again."

After a while it started growing dark. The back roads and alleyways were especially inky looking. Light didn't really shine all that well in these areas already so when the sun was gone the place just got scarier. It reminded me of the night I met Miss Ruby. I shuddered a little when I remembered the thugs that were chasing me at the time. As I reminisced about that night Miss Ruby took something out of pocket before drinking it. In seconds she once again had Silver hair and Crimson eyes.

After another half hour something finally happened. As Miss Ruby was passing an intersection, she was suddenly hit by a girl who was running full tilt into her. It was similar to the time we first met actually. The girl in questioned even looked to be the same age as me. The only difference was that Miss Ruby didn't look surprised because unlike with me she grabbed the girl's shoulders to steady her before she fell.

"Ah! Miss, you have to let me go!" The girl cried. "There's a Vampire chasing me, please let me go!"

"...."

The girl was frantic, her disheveled dirty brown hair stuck to her face thanks to her sweat. Her green eyes were wide and crazed with fright, her breathing, rough and ragged as she desperately tried to get Miss Ruby to let her go.  'Will she save her?' I wondered. After all this situation was eerily familiar. I couldn't help but remember that Miss Ruby almost left me to my own fate before something changed her mind. I still believe part of it was because she is a good person deep down.

"... Did you say Vampire?" Ruby asked the girl trembling in her arms. "Are they dressed like a pirate with short blond hair?"

"Uh, um, yes?" The girl answered without thinking, momentarily forgetting her panic when she heard how calm Ruby sounded.

"... Okay. You're staying with me then." Ruby said pulling the girl closer to her. "... She has a good nose, so she's probably close."

I was greatly confused by these turn of events.  'Does Miss Ruby know what's going on here?' I asked myself. I sunk into the shadows just a tiny bit more, I suddenly had a very bad premonition.

After a few more seconds a Blond woman with short blond hair, and Crimson eyes appeared. She was dressed like a pirate and had a wide smile on her face, showing her fangs. A Vampire. I've heard of them, and I know there is a group rumored to have lived in the city for decades, but this was my first time seeing one. On top of that I got the same feeling of kinship when looking at her, making me unconsciously relax.

"Oh? Why isn't it Lucilla; wasn't expecting ya." The Vampire said, her smile growing larger. "What'cha doin all the way out here?"

So Miss Ruby knew this Vampire after all, And why was the Vampire calling her Lucilla?

"... I was making my way to your office but I got lost along the way." Miss Ruby stated. "What should I do about this one?" She pointed at the girl in her arms. "I only held onto her since that was the quickest way to find you."

"Ah, I see, I see." The Vampire said, dramatically nodded in understanding. "Also, if you could just hand her over to me that'll be great."

Miss Ruby looked at the girl with a conflicted expression.  'I knew she was a good person.' But her next words made me pause.

"... I don't mind leaving her to her fate but handing her over to you feels like killing her myself." She said. "But I thought you didn't want to hunt down people anyways since that attracts attention."

"Aw, that's too bad. Hold'n to her for me though?" The Vampire said, putting on a show of sulking. "Also, after drinking yer blood I've had this really strong craving for human blood." She paused, licking her lips as she gazed hungrily at the girl.

Speaking of the girl, she was completely frozen in fear. Not moving a muscle or making a sound, almost like she hoped to disappear from sight. Well that was until the Vampire turned their gaze at them, she let out a small squeak in fear.

"But worry not, just sum street urchin. Nobody important. Wouldn't even be noticed if she just up and vanishes." The lady said casually. "Plus there have been reports of the homeless disappearing every once in a while, one more wouldn't make a difference. You don't have a problem with that, right?" She asked, still smiling, but her gaze shard.

Miss ruby shook her head. "... I don't have a problem with you hunting. I just can't bring myself to personally kill children for some reason." She said. "... After our conversation I was planning to just let her go. What happens after is none of my business, as long as I don't personally give her to you I won't feel any real guilt."

I felt a little sick hearing that. But it didn't bother me as much as I thought it would. Both of these people in front of me gave me a strong feeling of kinship, more so than my own brother and late mother. The feeling was about equal when it came to them, but I liked Ruby more purely for the fact I knew her longer. I felt bad for the girl in her arms, but I couldn't bring myself to feel anything more than slight pity.  'What is happening?!'

"Alright." The lady said. "So why were you looking for me?"

"... I just wanted to check how far you got in finding my home town." Miss Ruby said. "Also wanted to know what you were talking about when you mentioned Maisy and I gave off the same feeling." Saying that she lessened her grip on the girl as a purple slime oozed its way out of her clothes.

Realizing this was an opportunity to escape, the girl shook herself free from Miss Ruby and started running again. She didn't get far because the Vampire lady moved faster than I could see and blocked the girls path of escape.

"Sorry girl. I was toying with ya earlier, but I got sum business to do now." With those parting words the Vampire opened her mouth and bit into the girl's neck. For a split second the girl screamed in pain before it turned into a low moan. I watched in horror as the victim's body slowly started to wither. Her skin turning paler and paler, the skin growing thin and cracked as it stretches over her bones.

After a few minutes all that was left was a bony husk. The sight was grotesque and made me feel unwell. Yet I still didn't feel anything but slight pity when I thought about the girl's death. I was more disgusted than frightened. I felt no revulsion when looking at either Miss Ruby or the pirate looking lady. Miss Ruby didn't even bat an eye when as she watch.

"Mmmm." The lady hummed; her eyes closed. "Not as good as yours but enough to satisfy me for now." She said walking back to Miss Ruby, unceremoniously walking over the dead corps.

"Well, I haven't found any'thin about yer hometown yet. Mainly because you asked me only yesterday." She said looking a little exasperated. "The thing about you and Maisy giving of similar aura is probably do to her being an intelligent slime."

"... Why's that?" Ruby asked, tilting her head. I was curious too, I was so focused on the girls horrifying fate I didn't even register that a slime came from Miss Ruby's cloths.

"Why don'tcha just ask her." Vampire lady said pointing to the slime that looked like a purple Miss Ruby in a maid outfit.

"... I did, she didn't even realize she was giving off the same presence a me."

"Okay, so that's why you came to me." She said, once again putting on a show of nodding in understanding. "Well you see..."

To sum up what she said, here is a shortened version of her lecture: Intelligent Slime's are capable of bonding with other living things. It's an unspoken agreement that happens in the Enchanted forest often. A Slime would find a powerful monster to protect it, in exchange they can store food and act as an extra layer of protection against physical attacks. Slime's also acted as a way for these monsters to stay warm or cool depending on the weather thanks to the fact they were capable of adjusting their own body temperatures at will.

Miss Ruby glared at Maisy when she heard that. Apparently Maisy did not know how to adjust her temperature all that well. Anyways another thing the slime does is change their own presence to match those they bond with. Which is why one Rarely sees an Intelligent Slime. This is their way of keeping themselves hidden when from dangerous predictors, and Man-Kind. The skill could also be used to confuse enemies by having two of the same presence. It also had a side effect of the slime copying the form of whoever or whatever they bonded with.

"Though it's mostly used so they can't be detected." The pirate lady finished saying."

"... So, it isn't anything I need to worry about?"

"Not as far as I know."

"... good."

*Sniff, Sniff*

"Someone's here." The lady suddenly said, her face turning serious. "They've been here for a while too. Why did it take me so long to notice them?" She then turned and looked directly at me.

"... Oh." Miss Ruby said when she followed the lady's gaze. "You shouldn't be here Sara."

"Uh, hi." I squeaked out. It was one thing watching them but having their attention on me after witnessing what happened to the other girl frightened me."

"Weird her being is still very shallow even aft'a knowing she's here." The lady muttered to herself. "Anyway you know her Lulu?"

".... Lulu?...."

"You heard me."

"... Don't call me that. And yes, I do know her."

"Then let's do this then." With a snap of her fingers my mind went hazy."

_______________________

---Ruby's POV---

Ruby watch as Sara wen't into a daze. Wondering what kind of spell was used, she questioningly looked over at Cristina. The Vampire met her gaze and just smiled.

"It's a simple dark magic debuff spell. You could easily learn it. Plus, it's especially effective on those weaker than you, stops people from askin questions." she said.

"... Interesting."

"What do ya want to do with her?"

"I want to know what she plans on doing with this information. Can you get that out of her?" Ruby asked.

"Sure can. Go'na cost ya extra though." Cristina said with a smile.

"... Fine." With a grumble Ruby pulled some Small Silver coins from her pocket and gave them to Cristina.

"Thank you for yer patronage." She said taking the money and walking up Sara. She positioned her hands on either side of the young girls' head and used two fingers to press against each temple. After a minute of silence Cristina spoke again. "Alright, I have her under minor hypnosis you should be able to get answers from her now."

Nodding in thanks Ruby turned her attention back to Sara. "Why did you follow me?" She asked, her voice cold.

"... I was... curious... Wanted... to... know where you... were doing." She answered  in a drawl.

"Makes sense, not the first time you've done this." Ruby said to herself. "What did you plan on doing with the information you learned today?"

Sara's lax face looked slightly conflicted as she answered Ruby's question. "I... I don't... know."

"... Why?"

"I... have no... desire to see... you... get arrested... but... I... saw the death... of an... innocent person... should tell... father... but... don't want to..."

"... You said she's under hypnosis right?" Ruby asked Cristina who nodded. "Then can you make it so she keeps what she saw tonight secret?"

"... I can, but why not kill her?" Cristina asked.

"... She's Sara Prosperty, her disappearing the day I wen't to train her wouldn't look good for me." Ruby answered. "I also have no real desire to kill her personally.

Cristina was a little surprised to learn the child in front of her was the city's Lord's daughter.

"Okay fine. I won't charge you anymore since this looks like it'll be easy." Cristina said. "After all she didn't have a strong desire to expose you in the first place. Just give me a second."

___ ___ ___ ___

Ruby walked back to her with a sleeping Sara. Was the Silver hair girl carrying the sleeping princess? Of course not, she had Maisy do that. Maisy was dressed down in enough clothing to hide that they were a Slime, that way they could walk into the Inn without a problem.

While they walked Ruby kept sneaking glances towards the sleeping girl.  'I wonder if I could use her?' She thought. Use her for what exactly, Ruby wasn't sure. But she did learn that Sara seems to have a very unusual amount of loyalty towards her, which could be useful. If she could learn the hypnosis trick as well Sara would become quite the loyal little soldier. Not that she needed one, but it was a fun thought.

She also thought about the girl she let die. As she had suspected, as long as she didn't actively participate in her death, she wouldn't feel guilt. She wondered why that was. Her sense of morality was a bit twisted, and Ruby wanted to figure out what the rules were.

Eventually they found themselves back at the Inn. Ruby dumped the girl on Judieth and Went to bed. In less than a week they were to leave the city and head east. Maybe find her home town along the way if Cristina couldn't pull through by then, and then finally fix her Mana-links.