Chapter 18 - Ellena's Cousin's Ability

"I see... So that's what explains how he got the money from where I donated." Ellena can just mumble on her own.

The head of the main family, Hubert Lumbert, was said to be not a human anymore by his own grandchild. If this kid is eager to kill her grandfather, does this mean that it wasn't mere speculation?

Amber is a righteous human. However, she is selfish in some manner.

She hadn't thought of Ellena's well-being. Did she think that after all that suffering, and not being saved, she'll help you? Maybe she's tempted to save people, but it doesn't mean that she'll cooperate.

Ellena is a smart person. Her attention may have taken about the contolling stuff of his granfather, but it won't change her perspectives among nobles. After all, what Amber had reported was just proof that nobles are rotten.

Being the second generation as corrupted, it's not that illogical. Adults are humans too, so they have ambitions and desires.

"What kind of, he's not a human?" Ellena asked fiercely. 

Clearly, Ellena is shooting a dagger through her eyes, but Amber seems not to be affected by it. It seems as well that she's used to questions. Determined questions like this were just a joke to her.

"He is... I can't tell you if you don't join us."

"Okay. But it still doesn't change what I said. I don't want to join. I may exchange information, but I won't join you. That's all."

Ellena stood up but she was interfered with by the butler.

"What are you doing?"

Amber turned her gaze to Ellena. "I see... What a pity. If I were in your position, I wouldn't join the family that have betrayed me. But there is one thing I want you to remember. This is just the beginning of the suffering that the nation will experience."

Even though it took Ellena's attention, she didn't make it visible. She just smiled before passing through the butler.

"Don't worry, I know things too."

Walking out of the room, I could notice that Amber had a disappointed face. Ugh... Am I the only one who can feel that she is a bitch?

Ellena was finally out of the inn. The air seemed to become refreshing to her as she closed her eyes after getting out.

"What's the matter?" I asked.

'Nothing... It's just I want to save people but I can't see myself involved with that family again.'

"But what if they come to you again? What will you do?"

'I don't know. Maybe I'll just decide if I'm at it. But right now, I don't think I have anything to do with them.'

"I see... that's nice. I thought that you would get tempted by the saving people scheme."

'Haha. Don't worry, it's not like I'm stupid like in the past.'

She may be right, but I still think of her status. Her mental health, or how she cope with emotional problems like this. 

Ugh! If only I had my own body, I could embrace her to comfort her right now. I could notice that her face became gloom.

Sighs...

"The sun is getting set, better report your quest."

'Yeah.'

After that, Ellena headed to the adventurers' guild. She reported the completion with surrendering the proof. She received 40 silver coins since slime is incredibly cheap.

"Do you have anything to do tomorrow, Miss Ellena?" The receptionist asked.

"Nothing. Why do you ask so?"

"Well... it's because I have a suggestion quest for you. Here." She handed a parchment paper containing a party quest. It is a dungeon raid.

The dungeon was just an [Always Level] D-Rank. Dungeon threats have rank corresponding to how difficult closing it will be.

It is also ranked from F to A and the highest is S to SSS.

There are at least 10 adventurers needed for this dungeon and 9 have participated.

"There was a party who was looking for another adventurer to fill the slot. Maybe you are interested."

"Yes, please have me in."

"Understood. Please come here tomorrow morning. You will meet the other members."

Ellena smiled before leaving the reception. This will be her first dungeon dive.

After that, she left the guild to head to the inn.

"Aren't you excited about this?"

'Why would I?'

"I mean, it's about closing a threat?"

'Please stop it...'

After saying that, I can't help but to giggle. She accidentally made a pouty face.

"Sorry! Haha... Your face is too cute. Please stop pouting."

I really love how Ellena is irritated. She makes a pouty face at me. I can't endure it.

After a few seconds, Ellena finally arrived at the inn. Isabella greeted her with a hug. Ellena, just responded with a pat on her head, then headed to the diner for dinner.

When they ate their dinner, someone familiar approached them.

"Hi, Ellena."

It was Amber. It looks like her butler wasn't here, but still, she's her. What's her problem again? She still won't stop recruiting Ellena?

"Amber? What do you want?"

"Jeez, big sister Ellena, please don't be mean to me?"

"B-big sister?!"

"Yes! You are older than me after all."

The exchange of words made Isabella confused since she couldn't relate to what they were talking about. She noticed that Ellena was in serious mode.

"Big sister, who's her?" A confused question from Isabella, who is now tilting her head.

"Hm? Big sister? Is she our relative too, Ellena?" 

"Relative? What's your relationship with big sister?"

"Me? I'm her cousin. How about you?"

"I'm her sister!"

"Sister?"

"Okay, enough!" It seems like Ellena has snapped. She was getting sandwiched by the two.

Isabella just made a sorry expression while scartching her nape and Amber just made a peace sign.

"Amber. Answer me. What are you doing her?" A furious tone from Ellena.

I can't handle this anymore. They are too cute! Sometimes Ellena is too adorable that every face she makes looks like an angel. Well, she's already an angel in my eyes, but this is beyond what I imagine!

"I'm here to be with you. I can be with my cousin, right?"

Ellena was still making squinted brows. It seems like she sees Amber as childish right now.

Okay. Let's stop right there! I'm wrong that I called her a bitch! It was just her actions. I was wrong.

But maybe... she's just acting right now... Hm...

"Why? Don't you have your expensive room? Why bother with me if I don't want to be with you? "

"You're so mean! At least that was the order from Grandma, but personally, I want to be with you!"

Ellena can't help but just to groan. 

'How could this happen?!' She is not blustering at me. Ha...

"Haha." I just laughed at her while witnessing the scene above.

'Stop laughing! It's not funny!'

Despite Ellena's plea, I can't help but to laugh.

Amber hit Ellena's nerve. And it just made Ellena sureender.

"Okay. You can stay here, but don't bother me anymore. After this meal, get out and go back to your inn!"

But that exclamation was just answered by another witty answer. Seems like Ellena couldn't be helped but be outsmarted.

"Why would I get out if I go to my inn?"

"Wha-?! You're staying here?!"

"Yes! And..." She looked at Isabella, "I want to know about her." She pointed at her.

"Me? I am my big sister's sister but we are not blood related. It means that you can't be my cousin, right?"

Amber made her lips turn down then stood up approaching Isabella. She caressed her hair before speaking. "You can still be my cousin."

If Amber is really staying with her, does it mean that she's neglecting her mission or just here but to observe Ellena? I can't still say that, but I need to observe her. 

Amber doesn't know me, so I think she won't be cautious around me.

"Ellena, tell Isabella don't tell about me." I told her.

'Yeah.'

"Uhm... Isabella, can we talk for a moment?" She initiated.

"Yes." Willingly, Isabella stood up and approached Ellena. 

Ellena, on the other hand, also stood up to get away from Amber.

"Where are you going?" Amber asked.

"Please stay here for a second, Amber."

They moved a little bit of distance with her then started talking.

"Isabella, don't tell her about Aaron. Aaron is suspecting Amber that she's hiding something."

"But, she is your cousin, right?" Talking about being a child... But she's 13 right? How could she be like 8 years old.

"Yes, but my family left me, so she is not safe. Just act like you are friendly to her but don't tell her about anything we do."

I hope that this kid will make it work. If things go wrong, I won't deduce Amber's rune. It is still mysterious after all.

I have speculation that it may be mind reading, or information gathering ability, but still not sure. She seems to be guarded by something. Her ability seems to not fall under the 4 categories.

Sighs... I don't want to think that she has a special rune too, like Ellena. I wasn't knowledgeable enough about that.

They finally went back to the table and joined Amber. 

"What did you talk about?"

"Nothing, just personal."

"Can't you tell me about it?" She's shooting Ellena fiercely. Her eyes were like begging, but deep inside, I could feel that she was making something...

HER RUNE GLOWED!

"Ellena, don't lie but don't tell her honestly! I think I know what her ability is!" Saying my warning, Ellena closed her eyes before speaking.

"It's about you." Ellena said then the rune stopped glowing which was behind her back. That was tricky!

"I see... You seem not to be lying."

Her ability is lie detecting and she can see the real answer after a lie!