Master Assassin of the Ronan

Chapter 25: Elder Gillifield’s Arboretum (2)

Rubin and Tina moved toward the arboretum, passing through dense trees.

With each step, the Assassin Blade Family’s retainers, who had been hiding in the bushes, revealed themselves one by one.

They showed respect to the Ronan bloodline, holding the edge of their robes and giving a slight nod.

“Well, they sure hid well. Really creepy folks, aren’t they?”

Then, Tina suddenly asked,

“Is this my assignment? Just to stand guard and watch like them?”

“No. You have a separate task. While you’re here, you’ll be researching the Roincrows.”

“Research? That sounds way less interesting than lurking in the bushes. Maybe if it were studying shiny jewels, I’d be on board.”

Just then, they spotted two people approaching from the other side.

One was a kid about Rubin’s age, and the other was an elderly man with a stern expression.

Rubin recognized them.

“That’s Elder Gillifield and Phynik.”

“Is that old man a caretaker for the Roincrows?”

“They’re the ones you’ll be spending time with. The elder may be eccentric, but he’s not a bad person.”

“Eccentric…?”

In his past life, Rubin had met Elder Gillifield. Even facing a grown Rubin, the man hadn’t hidden his prickly personality.

That man was unlikely to show courtesy to the youngest son sent on behalf of the family head.

“Damn it! I thought the head of the family would come.”

Sure enough, Elder Gillifield didn’t hold back his rough words in front of Rubin.

Tina whispered to him.

“Rubin, is it really okay for someone from the Assassin Blade Family to speak to the Ronan bloodline like that?”

“Actually, this is pretty mild.”

Seven hundred years ago, Elder Gillifield’s family had formed a pact with the Assassin Blade Family.

It was essentially an agreement of mutual respect.

The elder’s ancestor was an ornithologist who first discovered the birthplace of the Roincrows.

For generations, his family had dedicated themselves to studying these mysterious crows.

In the course of their research, they naturally came to understand the mysteries of the Dark Ripple, making them one of the few outsiders aware of its existence.

Thanks to this, they were able to nurture the Roincrows under the Assassin Blade Family’s protection.

“I’m Rubin Ronan.”

“Ronan? Are you Seiren’s son?”

“Yes, I’m the youngest son of the Ronan family. The family head sent me here to help with the elder’s problems.”

“The youngest son who hasn’t even grown up? He’s probably around Phynik’s age. What on earth is the head thinking….”

Elder Gillifield turned abruptly.

“This is disappointing. To think he’d treat a seven-hundred-year-old pact so lightly!”

And with that, he left Rubin standing and went back to his house.

It was always Phynik’s job to smooth things over after his grandfather’s rude behavior.

“I apologize, Young Master. Let me guide you. Please, don’t be upset. He’s always like this. Having spent his whole life with the Roincrows, he has a bit of a temper….”

“It’s alright. The issue must be serious, I assume?”

“Yes. We often face problems, but this time it seems more severe. Grandfather has been saying that only Seiren Ronan could solve it. But…”

Phynik glanced at Rubin, trailing off as he realized his mistake, visibly startled.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way….”

Phynik likely thought the same: what could a mere nine-year-old, even if he was from the main family, possibly accomplish?

“It’s fine. Don’t worry about the issue. You’ll see soon enough.”

“Ah, yes! I trust you.”

Even as he said this, Phynik’s doubt lingered. Yet, as a legitimate member of the Ronan family, perhaps…

“Maybe he really can help us.”

After all, his grandfather had spoken often of the Ronan lineage’s prestige.

Stories about Seiren Ronan, in particular, were astonishing—each one was practically a legend.

This made it hard for Phynik to grasp that the young boy before him was the son of that legendary Ronan family head.

“I suppose I should explain the situation first? Or, since you’ve traveled so far, perhaps some rest first….”

Phynik hesitated, trying to figure out where to start.

“First, let’s…”

“I’d like to check out the Mist Tree.”

Rubin cut him off, knowing he was about to suggest resting. Phynik looked as if his thoughts had been read.

“Oh, yes. I’ll take you there right away.”

“The Mist Tree? Rubin, what’s that?”

Tina, as a member of the Assassin Blade Family, only knew basic information about the Roincrows and the arboretum. Since she’d be staying here for a while, a simple explanation should be fine.

“We’re going to see the Queen Crow.”

“Oh, really! With a name like ‘Mist Tree,’ I thought we were going to see some big tree.”

Phynik chuckled at Tina’s clueless remark.

As they pushed through the thickets, nearly an hour passed.

“What’s this? A cliff?”

Tina was startled when the path abruptly ended, but it wasn’t a cliff.

Rubin looked up. It was a massive tree trunk blocking the way, so tall he couldn’t see the top even with his head tilted all the way back.

“Is this… a tree?”

“It’s called the Mist Tree.”

“A Queen Crow, you said! I thought it would be a huge crow laying and nesting eggs.”

“Well, you’re half right and half wrong.”

“Huh?”

The Mist Tree was exactly as it appeared—a colossal tree, its sheer size almost otherworldly.

The circumference of the trunk alone was as wide as a fortress. Its branches were large enough to support an entire village and garrison troops if necessary.

Seeing Tina completely mesmerized, Phynik chuckled.

Rubin asked him,

“Phynik, is there a faster way to reach the nesting grounds?”

“Yes, of course, Young Master!”

Following Phynik’s guidance, they walked further, eventually reaching a passageway that connected the ground and the upper layers, built by the family over generations. Elder Gillifield’s personal lift was stationed there.

As she climbed onto the lift, Tina shouted,

“This is getting more and more interesting! I thought these kinds of elevators only existed in the capital!”

“This one’s likely much older.”

As Phynik started the lift, it began to ascend the rails wrapped around the trunk like vines.

Creak. Creak.

Though the lift moved at a faster pace than expected, the tree’s enormous size meant the trip still took some time.

Eventually, they arrived at the upper layers, where they were met by none other than fog. Rubin and Tina were startled by the dense mist, which made it impossible to see even a foot ahead.

It was Rubin’s first time seeing such a sight.

“This mist isn’t toxic yet, but if you go further up, you’ll encounter mist with toxins.”

The toxic mist must have properties similar to the mist surrounding the Ronan estate.

“It’s not deadly, so there’s no need to worry. Well, since you both possess Dark Ripple, it should be even easier for you than it is for me.”

Phynik’s voice hinted at envy.

Not having Dark Ripple was a major limitation in studying the Roincrows.

As a result, the Gillifield family had no choice but to live in the non-toxic mist region.

Soon, Elder Gillifield’s home appeared in the mist.

“So that’s your house. And behind it, there are…”

Behind the elder’s house, thick branches extended from the tree trunk.

They walked along them toward their destination.

“Do you see where the mist is gathering?”

At the ends of the branches, the mist had formed into spheres as if bearing fruit.

Some of the mist was so newly formed that it appeared thin, while others, having clustered for some time, were now grayish-white eggs.

It took Tina a moment to realize what she was seeing, and then she shouted.

“Wait! Those are eggs?”

She seemed genuinely shocked.

“So the mist gathers on the branches, and that mist becomes crow eggs? Insane! So, are those eggs, fruit, animals, or plants?”

Tina was genuinely curious, but Phynik only shrugged.

“That’s exactly what our research is about, haha.”

Just then, Rubin called Tina softly.

“Tina.”

It was time to focus on why they’d come here.

“I’ll tell you what I need you to do.”

It was to identify the serious issue facing the arboretum.

While he could have Phynik explain it, he knew that Tina, with her boundless curiosity, would quickly lose interest if she didn’t find out for herself.

“What’s going on?”

“First, transform into a Roincrow and head to the upper layers. Blend in with the other Roincrows and naturally gather information about what’s troubling them right now.”

There was another reason as well.

Rubin wanted to confirm if his suspicions were correct. While he didn’t expect it to differ from his past life, he couldn’t be too sure.

“Once you’ve figured it out, come back to Elder Gillifield’s house.”

“Tch, not even a moment to rest.”

But Rubin’s next words immediately silenced her grumbling.

“Aren’t you curious about how much ore is hidden within this massive tree? Just imagine how beautiful they’d be as gemstones… Oh, right! There might even be a book cataloging their locations in the library.”

“As if I’d fall for that cheap—grrr, cawwww!”

Transformed into a Roincrow, Tina flew toward the upper branches.

It seemed her love for anything that sparkled was practically instinctual.

Meanwhile, Phynik was thrilled to witness the transformation of a Blood-Transformation Tribe up close.

He had heard his grandfather mention that a Blood-Transformation Tribe would be coming, but seeing it in person was entirely different.

“Wow!”

“Is this your first time seeing a Blood-Transformation Tribe?”

“Yes. I’ve barely ever left here.”

That made sense and would continue to be the case.

These people bore the fate of “Guardians of the Great Tree,” destined to spend their lives raising the Roincrows.

Phynik watched Tina soar away, completely entranced.

Rubin offered a small piece of advice.

“Blood-Transformation Tribe are fond of shiny things. Like gemstones, fireflies, and stars. It’ll be useful to remember that when you’re with Tina.”

“I’ll keep it in mind, Young Master!”

“Now, I’d like to talk to Elder Gillifield.”

Rubin headed over to the elder’s house.

Gillifield had locked himself in his study and hadn’t shown his face. He was still bitter about Seiren’s decision.

Rubin chose to wait patiently rather than push him.

By evening,

Rubin finally met Elder Gillifield as he came out of his study for dinner, though he still didn’t seem entirely over his anger.

Around the modestly set table, the elder, Phynik, and Rubin sat down.

“And where’s that Blood-Transformation Tribe brat who came with you?”

“She’ll be here soon.”

“Completely free-spirited. I still don’t understand the family head’s thinking. Rubin, right? You’ll soon see what I mean. This isn’t a trivial matter. But we may as well fill our stomachs first.”

Just as they were about to start eating, Rubin glanced toward the entrance and spoke.

“She’s back now.”

“Hmm.”

Phynik opened the door, revealing a girl who looked exhausted.

A few hours earlier, Tina had transformed into a Roincrow; now, she appeared as a girl around Rubin’s age with her characteristic long, mint-colored hair.

“Did she transform again? Well, better than scattering feathers at the dinner table.”

Thankfully, Tina seemed oblivious to the elder’s grumbling.

After wandering around the Mist Tree’s upper layer for quite a while, she took a seat next to Rubin and immediately gulped down the water on the table.

“Hah! My shoulders are sore from flapping all day.”

“Did you find anything?”

“Of course. Who do you think I am?”

In a low voice, she whispered her findings to Rubin.

“Hmm. Just as I suspected.”

Rubin nodded.

It was exactly as he had guessed.

The incident unfolding at Elder Gillifield’s arboretum was the same as it had been in his past life.

“Now that I’ve confirmed it, all that’s left is to solve it.”

Both Elder Gillifield and Phynik looked curious about what was discussed. Rubin began to explain.

“Around a month ago, there was a disappearance here. Am I correct?”

“Yes. How did you know? Did that Blood-Transformation Tribe girl find out?”

At that, Tina snapped,

“I’m not a kid, okay? Do you even know how old I am, you old geezer?”

“What-what did you say!”

Understandably, no one knew Tina’s actual age, and for all anyone knew, she could be older than Elder Gillifield.

“Stop it, Tina. We’re in the middle of a conversation. Elder Gillifield, may I continue?”

“Ahem, yes.”

“The missing one was a Roincrow with a strong chance of becoming the next King, correct?”

Gillifield and Phynik nodded. Only Tina looked puzzled.

“A candidate for the next King Roincrow went missing?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

To understand this situation, one must first understand the behavior of Roincrows.

Within the large flock of Roincrows, numbering in the hundreds, there was always a leader.

The flock regarded him as their “King” and followed him.

“So, why did it disappear? Did it die?”

“Aren’t you the one who investigated? So why don’t you know?”

Elder Gillifield questioned her, but Tina snorted.

“Hmph. Don’t be ridiculous. Do you think the crows are fools? They don’t just answer any stranger asking questions. They’re wary of strangers too.”

She was right. Even if Tina had mingled with the flock by transforming into a Roincrow, she wouldn’t have been welcomed from the start. She wouldn’t know the full story.

“Nobody told me the details, so I don’t know much. But everyone seemed anxious. It felt… like they were out of control.”

“Good observation, Tina.”

Rubin took over the explanation.

“To put it simply, the Roincrow expected to become the next King suddenly went missing. In the meantime, the old, ailing King died. Now, with the King’s position vacant, they’re all in disarray. Am I right?”

Gillifield grunted and nodded. Though reluctant, he had to admit Rubin’s deductions were accurate.

“Yes. But more precisely, a struggle is about to break out over the empty throne.”

The old King had died, and the next King candidate was missing.

The only ones left were the other Roincrows, who had been previously suppressed.

A conflict was imminent.

“Then, do you also know what needs to be done to resolve this?”

“A new Roincrow must be crowned as the King.”

“You know your stuff. But that’s the problem—finding a Roincrow fit to be King.”

“You don’t need to worry about that. I’ve already prepared.”

When Rubin spoke confidently, the elder’s expression brightened slightly.

“Don’t tell me you brought Seiren’s Roincrow?”

“No.”

At this, Gillifield’s face darkened again.

“Unbelievable. Do you think just any Roincrow can sit on the throne? Even Seiren’s Roincrow might not be enough. So what’s your plan?”

Instead of answering, Rubin looked over at Tina, sitting beside him.

Tina, casually twirling her mint-colored hair, widened her eyes.

“Wait! Are you telling me to become the King?”