I Became a Sick Nobleman-Chapter 199: Variables (2)

He had to find Mayre first. As soon as Ruel spotted the door appear, he moved his body immediately. But Cassion caught him.

“Ruel-nim, please take a moment to breathe,” Cassion urged gently.

Ruel didn’t feel suffocated till he inhaled breath. His thoughts cleared as his breathing returned. How stupid he’d been. He should not have done so carelessly, regardless of how critical the issue was. Ruel scowled at his own stupidity. Rushing in wouldn’t have resolved the issue; on the contrary, it would have only made the situation worse.

“Remember your role. Think calmly and give us your instructions,” Cassion reminded him, releasing Ruel’s arm as his breathing steadied.

“Mayre is the last Guardian. If anything happens to her, the seal on the Great Man’s body in the Beast Forest will be broken,” Ruel stated grimly.

“Jan-nim.” Cassion called for Jan, who responded in a fluster because Ruel had just revealed something amazing.

-Y-yes.

“Can you find out where Mayre is through the Spirits?”

-I’ll check right now.

“Miss Drianna.”

-I know what I need to do. I’ll find Mayre right away.

“Drianna.” Ruel called out to Drianna, looking at her with a worried expression.

-Don’t worry. I will definitely avoid unnecessary battles!

Drianna greeted Ruel with a bright smile, as if to reassure him.

“I’ll contact my subordinates as well. Please try to stay calm. I’ll bring Aris and Noah,” Cassion added, handing Leo to Ruel.

“Okay.”

—Don’t worry.

Even though Leo had just woken up and didn’t understand the situation, he comforted Ruel. Ruel petted Leo and took a deep breath to calm himself. He closed his eyes, contemplating the dire situation.

‘Let’s assume the worst.’

Treitol was in the neutral zone, able to head to the Beast Forest at any moment. In the brief time Mayre had stepped out to the Spirits’ house.

‘The Great Man could kill Mayre and break the seal…’ Ruel paused his thoughts. Wasn’t the timing incredibly well-suited? It felt almost like a trap. Ruel bit his nails.

‘This timing… Could it really have come by chance?’

As his hot head began to cool, Ruel started to sense the thickening smell of a trap.

“Drianna.”

Ruel slowly lifted the corners of his mouth.

-Yes. I’m listening.

“Head back to the Spirits’ house immediately. Inform Jan as well,” Ruel instructed calmly.

-Even though you were in a rush to find her?

Drianna questioned, confused.

“That was true once, but not anymore,” Ruel replied, signaling a change in plans.

-Understood. I’ll withdraw immediately.

Drianna acknowledged before the communication ended abruptly.

Bang.

The door swung open urgently, revealing a flushed Noah who seemed to have hurried over.

“D-Did you call for me?” Noah asked, looking puzzled.

Ruel glanced between Aris and Cassion before addressing Cassion directly.

“Cassion.”

“Yes,” Cassion replied, noting Ruel’s regained composure with a smile.

“This is a trap.”

“W-what…?” Aris was taken aback by the sudden statement, while Noah looked utterly bewildered.

“Is that so?” Cassion responded calmly, awaiting Ruel’s next orders.

“The Great Man was trying to lure me into the neutral zone. I nearly fell for it,” Ruel explained.

Without the crucial information from the ‘king’ about the Guardian being the key to sealing the Great Man’s body parts, Ruel might have walked right into the trap. Despite the unsettling nature of the situation, Ruel managed a faint smile, realizing that this unexpected turn of events bought him time to dismantle the magic circle.

“Why do you think it’s a trap?” Cassion asked cautiously. The information currently shared was limited. What if it weren’t a trap?

Confident in his assessment, Ruel responded, “I understand your concern, Cassion. Look at the facts. Mayre left the Spirits’ house, and the Great Man is in the neutral zone. I’ve gained very significant information.”

Ruel held up three fingers. “If I hadn’t met the ‘king’ or understood what the Great Man seeks, would I have reacted this way? No, I wouldn’t have. So, why now?” Ruel’s gaze shifted between Cassion, Aris, and Noah. “Mayre, as the last Guardian, is now the focal point. It’s a game of destruction or prevention between the Great Man and me. He’s testing the waters one last time.”

“Are you suggesting that our reactions could have exposed your meeting with the ‘king’?” At Cassion’s question, Ruel nodded with a satisfied smile.

“Yes. So Cassion, you…”

“Are you overthinking this? Of course, as Ruel-nim says, it could be a trap planned by him, but if it were an emergency situation…”

“That’s why you have your shadows search for Mayre and pay attention to the movements of the monsters.”

“Monsters?” Cassion’s skeptical expression mirrored his confusion. Despite advising caution, Ruel’s actions seemed more like a risky gamble.

“Have you forgotten? The reason for the monster’s rampage was Setiria.”

“Ah!” Aris reacted as though he had realized something from Ruel’s words. “If the monsters were being controlled, they’d make perfect spies for you, Ruel-nim. They could have witnessed your meeting with Mayre and your visit to the Spirits’ house.”

“Exactly.” Ruel smiled knowingly. “The Great Man likely knew about our meeting with Mayre. This could be bait in such situations.”

Leo folded his ears, having been glancing between Ruel, Cassion, and Aris. The words being exchanged were difficult. Beside him, Leo hugged the confused spirits.

Ruel glanced at Leo and remarked, “Cassion, we may find Mayre where the monsters are gathering.”

“Are you certain it’s safe to not protect Mayre in this manner?” Cassion’s concern was palpable before he followed Ruel’s directives.

The seal on the body parts would be broken if Mayre died, even if it was only one. It felt careless to use Mayre in that way.

“If I were the Great Man, I’d wait longer. Why settle for bait when you can catch a bigger fish? He likely thinks the same way,” Ruel stated confidently as he inhaled Breath.

Cassion, though uneasy, placed his trust in Ruel. “Understood. I’ll give the orders.”

Upon hearing Cassion’s compliance, Ruel rose from his seat.

‘It seems he thinks the situation is quite favorable if he’s using bait like this?’

The Great Man had planned all of this over a long period, meticulously and cautiously built up.

In a way, one could say his personality was perfectionistic. Even though the wall that had contained death was gone, using the black water that had been kept in the Tonisk Empire and the magic circles secretly planted in the three countries would be enough to create the price for changing his body.

As soon as he pressed the ‘start’ button, everything would begin as per his plan. However, fitting for someone who sought perfection, he disliked variables. As soon as the wall that had contained death disappeared, he stopped the attack aimed at him.

Moreover, an alliance should be formed among the three countries right now, yet the board was instead being shaken. And because he himself was the one who had shaken the situation, he was approaching it even more cautiously. So that no perfection would be ruined. So that no variables would occur. That’s why he threw a fishing line at him.

‘But what a shame. One of his plans has already collapsed.’

The black water gathered in the empire had completely vanished. Now, if he could just eliminate the magic circles, he wouldn’t be able to fulfill the price for changing bodies. And since the magic circles were smaller than the barrier of the Tonisk Empire, it was expected that it would take little time to deactivate them.

“Prepare a carriage for the neutral zone,” Ruel instructed Cassion, causing a frown of concern to crease Cassion’s brow. Why the neutral zone? Doesn’t that mean he’s going to pass right by the Great Man?

“Ruel-nim, that’s too dangerous. You know what you are to him.”

“That’s right. Aren’t you trying to approach him to shake him up, Ruel-nim? But as Cassion-nim said, it’s dangerous.” Although he had joined the conversation halfway, Aris understood the current situation and gave his opinion.

Noah just stared at the three of them as if he were lost. Ruel looked at Aris.

“The Great Man is a perfectionist. Can’t you tell he’s dragging this out even though he could have already begun? He wants to return to this place perfectly. He doesn’t want to leave a single speck of dust.”

“But it’s still dangerous. That fact doesn’t change,” Aris spoke firmly.

“True. That fact doesn’t change.” Ruel lifted the corners of his mouth in a smile. “Now the Great Man will inspect the board he created to wrap things up, and someone needs to draw attention to buy time to dismantle the magic circle, don’t you think?”

Aris felt uneasy with Ruel’s words. While he understood the necessity for someone to act as a distraction, it still troubled him.

“Must it be you, Ruel-nim?” Aris frowned, knowing that Ruel was the most effective choice to draw the Great Man’s attention. Even knowing that the Great Man was targeting Ruel, he didn’t like Ruel’s intention to go. Despite this, he questioned why it always had to be Ruel who put himself in harm’s way.

“Aris, why ask when you already know?” Ruel smiled lightly as he headed towards the open door. His intention was to cross the neutral zone where the Great Man resided and enter the Beast Forest—a variable.

He was resolved to be the variable that the Great Man despised. To disrupt the Great Man’s immaculate plan. To make him spend more time in unnecessary places.

‘And to make him despair.’

One side of Ruel’s mouth quirked up. By then, most of the Great Man’s carefully laid plans would have crumbled.

***

“What’s happening?” Mayre was taken aback.

Everyone welcomed her return warmly. It had been a while since she had experienced such a reception, and it felt unfamiliar. Drianna let out a sigh of relief as she stroked her chest.

“I really thought my heart would drop, Mayre. Are you hurt anywhere?”

“Me? Hurt?” Mayre replied, confusion evident in her voice.

“Did you see that?” Ruel smirked at Cassion.

This event was the Great Man’s bait, just as expected. Mayre had returned to the Spirits’ house without any issues.

“I was surprised when I received a sudden message to come back quickly. Is this a surprise party?” Mayre looked around, still puzzled.

“Mayre, why did you go outside?” Ruel’s question put Mayre on edge.

“I sensed the Guardian’s presence. I was worried someone might be in danger, so I went out. But I noticed something strange on the way. The Guardians were not sticking together, even intentionally. So I was going to return even without the message.”

“Listen carefully, Mayre.” Ruel took a deep breath before continuing. “You must not leave the Spirits’ house from now on.”

“Why?”

“You might be the last Guardian.”

“What does that mean?” Mayre laughed disbelievingly. However, as she saw the seriousness in Ruel’s expression, her laughter faded.

“Really? Am I the last one? That can’t be true! It can’t be!” Mayre shook her head in panic. “Does he know that much? Did he find out the location?”

It seemed someone had been concealing themselves in a specific location, possibly overseeing the ‘sealing’.

“Mayre, I don’t know where that place is. But he has moved.”

“No. It can’t be. There are very few Guardians who know that place. If so, then everyone…!” Mayre’s eyes widened suddenly.

“I’m sorry, Ruel.” Mayre’s eyes welled up as she faced Ruel.

Whether the Great Man discovered the location through someone’s actions or by his own means, the weight of the situation fell heavily on Ruel.

“I apologize. We… we didn’t mean to burden you. These restrictions were put in place for the Setirias.”

The fact that they had kept the location hidden from the descendants of Setiria, and that the Guardians had dispersed, was all to prepare for the Great Man’s arrival, to safeguard Setiria. However, these restrictions now ensnared Ruel. The Guardian who had been tasked with upholding the seal was gone. Mayre was left as the sole Guardian. She stared at her fading hands. Time was running out.

“Do you know where his sealed body lies?” Ruel inquired, but Mayre shook her head, trying to hold back tears.

“I’m sorry. I’m truly sorry for not being of assistance.”

“No need to apologize to me. He will target you, so stay inside.” Ruel replied with a reassuring smile.

Mayre had no reason to feel guilt towards him. Thanks to her, he had found a way to dismantle the magic circle. Ruel moved towards his next objective.

‘First, I’ll shake him up, then go to Leponia…’

“Ruel.” Jan, who had hesitated several times, caught Ruel as he headed towards another door.

“Yes?”

Ruel paused his stride and met Jan’s gaze. Upon seeing Ruel’s determined gaze, Jan abandoned his efforts to halt Ruel. Instead, he beamed brightly, more so than ever before.

“Call on me whenever you need. This time, I won’t run; I’ll fight back.”

“Yes. Your words already put me at ease.”

“Ruel.” Mayre also called out to Ruel tentatively. He turned to face her. She wiped away her tears and smiled.

“You’re the best Setiria I’ve ever seen. Even if I—no, we—disappear, we will still exist for Setiria as we always have. I hope you don’t forget that, Ruel.”

Ruel felt taken aback by her words, which sounded like a last goodbye. While it was unsettling to see Mayre’s presence fading, it would be problematic if she vanished now.

“Ruel, reach out to us. We will respond in some way.” Hearing Mayre’s earnest voice, Ruel nodded.

“Of course. I will reach out.”

“Thank you, Ruel.”

Leaving behind the smiling Mayre, Ruel instructed Drianna.

“Drianna, since we are uncertain of how events will unfold, return to Setiria and prepare.”

“Then, I’ll wait for you at the door, Ruel-nim.”

“Okay.”

Ruel looked at Leo, Cassion, Aris, and Noah.

“Let’s go.”

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