The Skeleton Soldier Failed to Defend the Dungeon

”...”

Even if this world were truly a barrier as Isaac claimed, or divided into hosts and guests just as Kevin Ashton had written, nothing really changed for me right now. Even Rubia, whom I had vowed to protect no matter what, wasn’t safe. Isaac had left me and settled into my greatsword. Why there, of all places? Perhaps, it was his silent way of telling me that he could kill her anytime he pleased.

”I’ll cooperate.”

For now, I had no choice but to clear the obstacles in front of me and keep moving forward, step by step.

”Of course you will.” The sword hummed with a deep, satisfied resonance.

”Two conditions. First, you guarantee Rubia’s safety.”

”That’s simple enough. And the second?” Isaac agreed readily, as if it were nothing.

”Kevin Ashton. You must ensure I meet him.”

Isaac let out a low chuckle. ”Heh heh heh... That’s the whole reason I’m cooperating with you in the first place. Enough talk. Take that clueless girl and head to the hall already.”

***

”Here’s how it is.”

I laid everything out for Rubia. Of course, I did it while Isaac listened in. Even if I tried to hide something, he wasn’t someone who would miss it. And if I did, it’d only make things worse. Isaac Bel’Homec, I didn’t trust him even halfway. But for now, we had agreed to cooperate.

”There’s really a soul inside this?”

Before I could stop her, Rubia reached out and ran her fingers along the opening in the greatsword.

”Rubia!”

The blade shuddered with a low, ominous vibration. ”What is the hostage doing, touching me so carelessly? Stop her.”

”Rubia!”

”I’m sorry... it was just so strange, seeing the sword vibrating like that...”

”Be careful. There’s a dangerous spirit sealed in there.”

”Dangerous...? Who is it?”

”Hmph... perhaps it’s not such a bad idea to tell this ignorant child my exalted name.” Surprisingly, Isaac didn’t seem inclined to hurt her right away. Instead, he said in a proud, haughty tone, ”Tell her this: I am the greatest sorcerer of all ages, the ruler of the southern empire, the chosen vessel of Malphas, whose black feathers blot out the azure sky. She should consider it the highest honor to stand before me, and submit without question.”

That was too long. Besides, I didn’t want to tell her all that.

”Why don’t you tell her yourself?”

In my last life, even when he’d been trapped inside a medallion, Isaac had spoken directly to Rena. There was no reason he couldn’t do it now.

”I could, but...”

I knew exactly how to bridge them. I linked their minds, opening the path so they could speak through me.

”Is... is this the one?”

”Indeed. I am—”

It was oddly funny, watching him put on such a formal act, but I kept a straight face.

”Hm...”

Rubia’s face grew thoughtful as she listened to his self-important introduction.

”Um... I have a question.”

”Ask it, child.”

”In the books I read, they said that if you hadn’t been cursed by the goddess, you might have ruled the entire empire. Is that true?”

So he was that famous, huh? Considering how often Isaac boasted about his past, it made sense that it would be in books somewhere.

Rubia said, earnest and wide-eyed, ”They also said you were an unparalleled strategist. Your treatise on maneuver warfare is still taught in the empire, they said...”

”Ahem. You even know that...? Indeed, a child who knows history has a bright future. Unlike this foolish skeleton here. You could learn from her.”

”...”

”But...”

”Hm? Go on.”

He was obviously pleased to be recognized, his voice almost smug now.

Rubia looked genuinely puzzled as she asked, ”Then, why were you trapped underground for so long? And why are you stuck in this sword now?”

I had wondered the same thing. Why had Isaac stayed sealed in that coffin, behind layers of wards, for so long? Why had he never tried to break out?

”What nonsense. Trapped? Me?”

I almost laughed. But I waited to see how Rubia would phrase it.

”It’s just... I read that there’s no barrier mage alive today who could even approach your level. So if you weren’t trapped, then...”

”Of course!”

”Then why...?”

Rubia twisted a lock of hair around her finger, her eyes bright with honest curiosity.

”Was there something you needed to hide from? Something you had to flee from?”

The moment she said it, the connection between Isaac and Rubia cut off.

”Huh? Where did he go?” Rubia tilted her head, confused.

”Tell her the link was severed because of your lack of ability.”

”Huh? What are you talking about?”

”Just say it was your fault the link broke. I’ll find something valuable for you in the hall to make up for it.”

His tone grew oddly subdued all of a sudden.

”Ah, it’s just that... maintaining the connection for too long is tiring for me.”

”Oh, I didn’t realize. I’m sorry!”

”That’s enough, right?”

”Hmph...”

It hadn’t been a big deal, but it seemed Isaac was quietly grateful, even if he didn’t show it outright.

***

We were in front of the hall.

Creaaak...!

I remembered the last time Chandler had opened this door. This time, the steward handed me the key, and I fit it into the two slots side by side, turning them together.

”Impressive. Have you done this before?”

”Who knows.”

”Most people can’t even find the keyholes. It’s almost as if having me here brings you some kind of blessing.”

I wanted to retort, telling him that he didn’t even have a body. However, before I could, Rubia’s gasp of wonder drowned out the thought.

”Wow...” Her eyes sparkled, lit up by the sight of dusty old relics and artifacts. ”May I look around a bit? There’s so much here. It’s amazing!”

”Do as you like.”

”Hmph.” Isaac gave a little sniff of disdain.

”Why are you acting like you own the place?”

”My slaves made all of this. If I can’t even grant permission to browse, what good am I?”

”Slaves?”

I didn’t bother commenting, already well aware of Isaac’s nature. I was briefly worried that Rubia would grow bored, but it was unfounded. She darted from shelf to shelf, wide-eyed with excitement.

”If there’s something you like, take it. Don’t be shy...” I remembered how she’d spent half a day in a tailor’s shop, agonizing over a single outfit. ”Just don’t touch anything that looks dangerous.”

”Do you think she’s a child? She’s way smarter than you give her credit for,” Isaac said with mild amusement.

”Of course! I’ll only look at and not touch the dangerous ones.”

”Forget about her for now. Follow me. Being stuck in this blade is dull beyond words...” The greatsword vibrated faintly as he spoke. ”Hurry up. Turn left here. Now straight ahead. Keep going.”

I had no idea what he was trying to show me or why, but I let him guide me. Eventually, he stopped in front of a large box—a familiar one.

”This is...”

”What? You know it?”

I remembered seeing it the last time I’d visited the hall. I’d thought it was some kind of portable cannon, about one and a half meters long.

”Just... it’s unusually shaped. Should I take this one?”

I reached for it, starting to flip through the attached manual.

[Skill: Engineering Lv. 3 activated.]

”Why are you bothering to read that nonsense? Toss it away.”

”You’re telling me not to even glance at the manual...?”

”Take off your glove and stick your hand inside the barrel. Do it.”

”You want me to...?”

”Stop asking and just do it.”

”Hmm...”

”Now feel for the little ridge at the top and pull it hard to the right.”

”Here?”

”That’s it! Now pull your hand out!”

The instant I did, a loud sound rang out, echoing from inside the barrel. The one-meter-wide cannon shuddered and shrank down, transforming into something much smaller and easier to carry.

”What is this...?”

”A sniper weapon for titans.”

Titans...?

”You know, those things the parliament’s elite pilots use in the Confederation. Think of it as an elite-grade iron giant.”

I remembered. Instead of horses, the elite knights of the Free Confederation rode enormous machines of steel and flame. Although I’d never fought one directly, I’d heard the stories.

”Have you ever seen one yourself?”

”Hah. Of course I have. I even rode in a five-star titan once.”

”Was it powerful?”

”Heh heh heh...”

Isaac laughed softly.

”If you’re curious, you’ll get to see one yourself. Stick with me, and you might even get to pilot one. But for now, let’s move on. There’s something else I want you to pick up.”