The Crimson Tale of Conquest

The time has finally come. Today was the day they would leave 'Prosperty City'. Ruby and the other were currently in Cristina's meeting room, waiting for her to give them the information they were searching for. Ruby was racked with nervousness, not that it showed, her face having the same permanent scowl as always.

Eventually Cristina walked into the room, with a map in hand. She sat down in the same chair as last time as she unfurled the map across the low table. "Okay, so good news I found out where yer hometown is located." She paused for a few seconds before continuing. "Bad news, it looks like your mother is locked up."

"...." Ruby was silent for a few seconds as she prosses the information she just learned. She was happy Cristina not only found her old home, but also what happened to her mo- Ms. Baker. She was also distraught to learn she's been imprisoned for all these years. The last memory she had of her was when she had told Ruby to run as she diverted the mob of people chasing after her. Ruby felt responsible for her caretaker's fate.

"It looks like she was imprisoned for 'allegedly' harboring a dangerous entity. Seems like the people of the town couldn't actually prove to the Church officials that she was raising ya, but still thought it best she was imprisoned." Cristina started again when Ruby stayed silent." The mayor of the town currently has her locked up in a cell underneath his estate. I don't know how she was treated while there though. I didn't go that far into my investigation, didn't have the time."

"... Thank you." Was all that came out of the Silver haired girl's mouth.

"I also found a little info on Yuki's request." Cristina said. "Sorry t'say but I don't have much to tell ya. What I can tell you is that it has some'thin to do with the anti-peace group up north in the Demon territory. If you want to learn more, you'll have to head there yer self.

"Anti-peace? Why would anyone want that?" Yuki asked confused.

"Demons live far longer than any other species, not counting me of course." She said with a teasing smile. "As a result, many still remember and even participated in the last war. They ain't to happy about the current Demon Lord's decision to keep the peace. Many of them harbor resentment as ya'll can probably guess."

"And they have something to do with my parents?" Yuki asked.

"From what I reckon, yeah."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Well, I think that concludes our business, don'tcha think?" Cristina said with a smile.

"... We appreciate your help; we're leaving today so this will be goodbye for a while." Ruby said standing up heading towards the door, with the others following her.

"Have a safe trip," Cristina said, pausing with a mischievous smile before saying, "Ruby."

Ruby looked back at her with a glare, the others also turned back to levy suspicious gazes at her. Yuki was the only one who was giving off a dangerous area palpable enough to cut through, though she still had a sweet smile on her face. Ruby didn't really trust Cristina in the first place, and suspected she might look into who she was, what she didn't expect was for Cristina to just outright reveal she was looking into her.

"Don'tcha worry I won't tell anyone yer secrete, though t'be fair using the same last name for both versions of yourself doesn't really help you hide."

"... I'll keep that in mind." Ruby said curtly before she made her way out of the building. Judieth gave her one last suspicious glare and Morella leveled an angry gaze in her direction before walking out. While Yuki just smiled, her eyes empty.

--- --- ---

This time around they all had their own individual horses. Since their destination wasn't a large city but a remote location, they opted out of taking a guarding job this time around. This also allowed the others to walk around undisguised and not having to worry about said disguise waring off at random. With less to worry about, their journey east progressed smoothly.

They made it a point to pass any and all villages and towns they came across. Ruby was worried they - more specifically her - would be dragged into something again. Luckily Maisy's dimensional storage magic comes in handy for things like this. All the food and supplies needed were held by her, which Ruby was very grateful for. Not that she said it out loud, but Maisy did notice an increase of Mana stones given to her during this trip.

After a week of travel, they finally had sight of their destination. The small farming town Efulen, with its large fields located outside its low wooden walls that keep out monsters. Unlike Verland and Prosperty City this towns walls didn't have any special properties or enchantments to them, it was a purely wooden wall.

"We're here..." Ruby quietly said, with a hint of emotion in her voice.

"It's... quaint?" Yuki said tilting her head to the side.

"Many small towns and villages tend to look like this you know." Morella said to Yuki.

"How do you want to go about this Ruby?" Judieth asked the Silver head girl.

"I- can I enter alone?" She asked, turning her Crimson eyes to the others, begging with them. "I'll also be entering at night. I don't want to be spotted when I break into the mayor's estate."

"That's fine, sweetie," Morella started, "We'll set up camp near the forest edge while we wait for night fall."

"Of course, just be careful, kay?" Yuki said agreeing with Morella.

"...." Judieth stayed silent.

"Thanks Ella, Yuki." Ruby said as she turned her horse away from town going to the forest.

__________________________

The moon casts its silvery light, giving very little light to the dark streets below. At the end of what appeared to be the largest and most central street of the town stood a building much larger than the rest. It was old but well maintained, decorated with many intricate carvings and paint. The manor in which the mayor resides. With a small stone wall surrounding the property.

Two guards stood at the front gate half asleep. Suddenly a girl with a black mask covering the bottom half of her face appeared. Her Silver hair catching the light of the moon, making it shine in an almost mythical way, with glowing Crimson eyes glaring at the two guards like they were nothing more than prey. As she padded closer to them with her feet bare.

Suddenly on high alert the two men pointed their sword and spear at the girl. It's been nine years but they recognize the girl, she is much older now, but they could never forget the girl they drove out of their town. The cursed child. The Monster with human flesh. The unnatural creature destined to be the enemy of man. She was Lucilla Baker's hidden child.

Before they even had time to react, she was already upon them, her eyes glowing with rage. With her Left hand she grabbed the man with the swords by the face before freezing the water in his head. She quickly slammed him down on the ground shattering the now frozen head. The one with the spear tried turning to attack the girl but was swept off his feet before he had a chance. Not even having the opportunity to scream before a hand tore through his throat.

The Silvered haired girl quickly made her way over the stone wall to cross the large lawn to the manor. Not wasting a second, she broke the front door and made her way into the building. Ahead of her was a large staircase that led to the second floor. On either side of the staircase hallways could be seen. To her left and right were two doors each leading to who knows where. Not knowing where to go she chose to go down the left hall.

She decided to check the door that was located at the base of the staircase, and when she opened it the first thing, she noticed was that the walls weren't made of wood. She also realized she found the stairway down. He breath quickened. She suddenly found it hard to move or breathe. This was it; she was about to see... her caretaker.

Ruby Crimson, Daughter of Lucilla Baker was at a tipping point. After tonight she will decide whether to stay apathetic to the world or not. What path this will push her towards only the Gods knew. Or more specifically only one Goddess had an idea of what might happen.

"Now how will this play out I wonder?" Kintris, the Goddess of time, thought allowed as she watched the events unfold, on the large planetary display in front of her. "Which path will you choose?  Will you bring on another age of war and chaos or die before you can reach your full potential like the others. I'm so glad I took over my daughters turn to watch over things today, the future is becoming clearer and clearer. There aren't that many branching paths tonight, yet things are still very uncertain."

With a smile on her lips, Kintris watched as Ruby made her first step into the basement. "Who will emerge tonight? Lucilla Crimson or Ruby Baker?"