If You're Being Held Hostage, Wiggle the Carrot! - Chapter 77
Ruby greeted the Guardian Spirit, who only showed warmth to her.
“I couldn’t properly greet you when you appeared out of nowhere last time, Guardian Spirit.”
‘Between us, there is no need for greetings.’
“Hehe, okay.”
Ruby smiled, relaxed for the first time in a long time.
The presence of the Guardian Spirit, a constant companion in the village, made her completely at ease.
However, gathering her composure, she turned to the Guardian Spirit and made a request.
“Please help me, Guardian.”
‘If you wish it, you can call on me anytime.’
“I want to find all the places where these dolls are.”
Ruby showed the stone doll she held in her hand to the Guardian Spirit. The Guardian Spirit seemed to tighten its lips, as if displeased.
‘This carries a malevolent energy.’
“Do you think it was made by a particular tribe?”
‘Hoo-hoo, little one, you’ll have to find out for yourself.’
With a kind yet firm voice, the Guardian Spirit touched Ruby’s forehead. Simultaneously, various places appeared and disappeared in her mind.
“…Ah, it seems to be nearby?”
‘Yes, shall we go find them?’
“Yes.”
Ruby jumped up and quickly dashed forward. Louis, astonished by her sudden speed, hurriedly followed.
With each leap, she jumped quite a bit higher, exploring her surroundings and finding the buried curse dolls one by one. Even though they already seemed to have lost much of their energy over time, finding each stone doll gradually changed the atmosphere around the mansion.
When Ruby finally found all 66 stone dolls, she identified the tribe that had planted them.
“A tribe that can easily dig as many burrows as rabbit holes and use curses…”
‘Who do you think it is?’
In response to the Guardian Spirit’s question, Ruby raised her head and looked at Louis. He seemed to have caught on to what she was hinting at, given the dangerous flicker in his dark lowered eyes.
“It’s the tribe you mentioned before, sir.”
Ruby mumbled, recalling the words Ivan had spoken to her.
‘During noble gatherings in the capital, aside from the Serpent Tribe, I haven’t encountered other shamanic or psychic clans.’
Being able to attend noble meetings meant having influence. She gathered all the stone dolls she found in one place.
She was about to go to Ivan to tell him when Leslie suddenly appeared, blocking her path.
Ruby stared at her in annoyance.
“What’s all this about?” Leslie asked, exaggerating her shocked expression even more. However, there was an undertone of anticipation in her eyes that she couldn’t conceal.
Ruby found that look deeply offensive. Leslie’s attitude, that she didn’t care what happened to her clan if it was for her own immediate gain, made Ruby feel a negative way that she hadn’t felt before.
“Well, if you tell me, I’ll understand, right?” The tone was as casual as before, but her words were dismissive.
There was a spark of fierceness in Leslie’s eyes. She saw this as an opportunity. A chance to get back at Liam for all the trouble he’d gotten her into the other day over that laundry.
It was just a little prank, alright? But she had been burdened with penalties, surveillance, and even had to outsmart the lady-in-waiting.
So for Leslie to finally manage to escape the lady-in-waiting and follow Ruby, only to witness this dangerous scene?
With a twisted smile, Leslie elegantly warned, “How dare you drag such a disrespectful thing into the Duke’s estate! As the daughter of a vassal of the House of Negro, I cannot stand idly by.”
Confirming that only she and Ruby were the only ones there, Leslie bared her ears and tail. Her razor-sharp nails popped out in a flash.
“I’m sure the Duke would understand if I summarily disposed of her, given the evidence.”
Throwing away formalities, Leslie lunged towards Ruby.
