Chapter 87 - The Rubera Mountains (3)

Raphael didn't know how to respond, his comrades had already walked ahead. They didn't seem to notice that a woman was crying behind them. Ivanka looked emotional and burst into tears as if the dam in her eyes could no longer hold it in.

All this time Ivanka tried to be strong. But when after a long time a stranger asked about her brother— she couldn't be as calm as usual. Her mind immediately flew to her faraway home, imagining her brother's current condition. Did her family still insist on letting her illness go and confining him on a silver trellis? Would Ivanka ever have a chance to set him free and once again see him roaming merrily in the sun?

Ivanka slowed down, maybe she meant to let Raphael go first. She was embarrassed because she couldn't hold back her tears. It was the complete opposite of the tough and haughty attitude she displayed from the start. But Raphael was not willing to leave her.

The woman was careless. This was the Rubera Mountains which was said to be full of monsters. If she was careless, a wild animal could pounce on her. Even though vampires were powerful creatures— still not all of them could defend themselves. Strength without ability was like a baby carrying a sword. There's no point if one couldn't use one's power.

Raphael hesitated. How to treat a woman who was crying? The man finally used his instincts. He grabbed Ivanka's shoulder and hugged her for a moment.

"Everything will be fine," Raphael said quietly, with awkward hand movements. He should still be quite formal. That was polite behavior but still shows concern. Ivanka stopped crying and looked at the commander who gave her a sympathetic look.

"Sorry I must look weak," Ivanka responded awkwardly, she blushed and walked a little distance from him.

"No, I understand. You just really love your brother. You must be sad that s

he's sick, so you don't have to feel ashamed about it," said Raphael.

"Yeah, but, I should have held back more. I came here after swearing that I wouldn't whine," said Ivanka.

"Ah yes, I'm also not as weak as you think. I'm quite strong," Ivanka added. She didn't want to be considered a burden.

"You have to be honest with your condition, it's better to be honest than pretend to be strong. I once escorted someone who claimed to be tough. We reduced security because of his reputation. But it turned out that he wasn't completely honest; he lost his left leg due to dishonesty. So, Lady Ivanka, what happened to your brother?"

Ivanka was silent for a moment.

"We're a pureblood vampire family, you can see it in my red pupils.. They weren't completely honest with me, but my brother had changed since three years ago. He became too susceptible to sunlight, drank more human blood and his nails grew long and blackened. Worse now, his body had even changed. And my family — let it be," said Ivanka sadly.

"I want to cure it, I heard from someone I trust. If there are herbs that can help reduce the symptoms. It's on Mount Rubera. I had to lie to my family so I could come here," said Ivanka again.

Raphael was a little surprised. Was her brother's condition similar to his? Did that mean he has demon DNA? So, in a few years Raphael might turn out to be like him or Jasper?

"That plant— do you know what it looks like?"

Ivanka took out a book from her bag. It had a leather cover and was quite thick and a little worn. But before she opened it she stopped and put it back in her bag.

"You don't want to say?"

"There's a reason why I was hesitant to come with you. You are Florentian knights," said Ivanka.

"Are you an Avalon?"

"Yeah, but I'm not a knight like you guys," Ivanka returned to her senses and moved away from Raphael.

She hugged her bag tightly while climbing. She stole the book from the headquarters of the higher-ups of Avalon. She didn't want to add to her guilt by providing information to the enemy. That was the result of years of research by avalons.

"I won't steal it. We're knights, our mission already chosen. However, I admit that I'm interested in the information you hold. About those herbs..because, I might know what happened to your brother," Raphael said while smiling at her after chasing and walking side by side with her.

Ivanka stopped walking and looked at him.

"Liar, you probably just wanted to trick me," Ivanka said again.

"Maybe," Raphael smiled at her.

Their journey has now entered a more leafy part. The sun's light was too dim to illuminate their current steps. But they had to cut through the bushes to find the flow of the river.

When at last the group was free from the thick, itchy bush and perhaps thousands of venomous insects — they found a more light and airy place. But the sun wasn't too hot so it was easier for the vampires to roam around there.

Gabe, their guide wasn't a vampire. He was a human who knew the place well. Even in the past when Ithadurna was still controlled by Avalon, they were reluctant to disturb him. Because Gabe was one of the reliable guides when the Avalon knights had to go to Mount Rubera. Surely the knights wouldn't rely on him to guard them. Instead, they might have to protect him.

It was also what made Raphael suspect Ivanka. She didn't seem to have enough strength to protect herself including her guide. Raphael plans to reveal her secrets one by one. Including why she was able to bring valuable journals belonging to the Avalon scientists.

"Why are you looking at me?" Ivanka rebuked, when she realized that Raphael was watching her.

"Oh yeah, I wanted to warn you, I hope you don't think you can seduce me or anything. I'm not here to find a lover," said Ivanka sharply. Raphael couldn't help but laugh. Even though he tried to remain elegant when he did so, he displayed a charming smile. That was a rare thing he showed others around him.

Ivanka couldn't contain her instincts as a normal woman that started to creep up. Her face blushed uncontrollably. Her body language became awkward and she turned her face away quickly to prevent her attraction from getting stronger.

"Seduce you? Lady Ivanka, I already—" Raphael was about to argue.

"Raph! You have to see this!" Edgar's voice called out to him. Raphael failed to explain and immediately approached him. His subordinates along with Gabe were now gathered on the banks of a larger but still shallow river. Its gurgling sound was quieter and he immediately saw a similar stone there. But the size was bigger.

"Same stone,"

"I can see that," Raphael nodded and crouched down to touch it.

"You guys walked all the way into the forest just to look for rocks?" Ivanka tilted her head in surprise.

"This is no ordinary rock, lady Ivanka," Raphael used his short dagger to pry up the sandy soil around it. It didn't take long for him to show its form more clearly. The stone was shaped like a large irregular cube. It was white with a purplish pattern resembling molten lava inside. The river water had eroded it and made it shiny and beautiful.

"I know it's not gold or precious stones, but it's a good one. It could probably be a lot of paperweight. But there aren't many of them," Damian commented.

"No, you look up there. There's a pretty high and big hill. Did you notice that the hill doesn't have any big trees? It's just a surface covered in green grass and shrubs over there," Raphael pointed up.

The commander then walked faster followed by the other knights. The mountain was big enough that they couldn't reach it quickly. After Raphael and his entourage arrived at the foot of the hill. He stomped his foot and found a surface that was harder than the usual type of soil there.

Raphael once again took out his dagger and pried out a piece of dirt. Not long enough to dig, He showed that the hill was made of the same rock. Similar stones filled the whole hill.

"It's marble," said Raphael.

"Marble? The ones we use for floors and walls?" Edgar confirmed while frowning.

"Yeah, it's a pretty expensive commodity. and now we know Ithadurna has a mountain of marble that has never been mined before. I thought that the citizens of Ithadurna could mine this marble. They also have a lot of talented builders. They can increase profits by empowering their craftsmen. I think Florentia would be willing to build a road for the marble quarry," Raphael explained.

"We'll have to tell the Radcliffes. They'll be happy about this," Damian said excitedly.

"How do you know so much about marble?" Edgar asked again.

"My family owns a mine on a mountain similar to here. It's a gold mine, different from marble. But I learned a lot about mining and various precious stones because of that," said Raphael again.

"Wait! Miss Ivanka! That's dangerous!" Gabe shouted at the black haired slender woman who was now climbing the steep side of the marble hill.

"I saw the plant I was looking for over there!" Ivanka shouted before returning to her own business. Raphael sees Ivanka stepping on a medium sized rock and she slips.

"Kyaaaaa!" She screamed. The stone rolled and now Ivanka was holding on with only one hand holding a vine that wasn't strong enough.

Raphael swiftly ran towards her and grabbed her body. When he managed to hold her wrist.. A large chunk of ground cracked and brought the two of them down into the abyss.