The Huntsman of Red V2

Chapter 5 First Seal: Part 2

"Alright fine," he eventually conceded. "I'll see what I can do to help, but no guarantees. I've never delved into anything like this before."

Even with the uncertainty of his agreement, the way Summer's expression broke into a smile was enough to convey to him just how important that little bit of hope he had given to her meant to her.

The simple possibility of interacting with her family her greatest desire in her spiritual form.

Summer's hope pressured Shirou all the more to come up with a viable solution, and yet he didn't have the necessary time available. He had to set priorities and the first thing he had to do was convince Ruby to return home.

In a technical sense, he had already completed the order Ruby had issued to him with a Command Spell so he was no longer compelled to recklessly bring her wherever he went. What that meant was that he could always keep Ruby safe, but at the same time, it was going to be difficult to dissuade Ruby into searching for her mother any longer. The fact that Summer was existing as only a remnant portion of her original soul was telling enough of Summer's circumstances.

If something had happened to Summer's original body, then he could still perhaps save her. However, what if Summer had already died? The Command Spell binding him could not force him to complete an order that couldn't be completed let alone the trauma Ruby would experience if she saw her mother's dead body.

Therefore, difficult as it was to just compel Ruby to give up at the moment, it was still the best choice given the circumstances.

Yet children were always stubborn.

The first time he had brought the matter up previously, he only got a single word response.

NO.

His mouth had twitched at that time, but it was the self-reproach on Summer's face that forced him to drop the matter then and there. Clearly, she was feeling both love and guilt, and Ruby's insistence to keep searching for her was only making the feelings worse for Summer.

Summer was blaming herself for Ruby's actions and Shirou knew it.

That's why he had to be careful in how he handled things.

Caught up in his musings, it was only when a knock resounded at the front door of Rose Manor that he composed himself. He shifted his attention away from Summer and towards the door where the knocking was coming from before standing up and taking action.

By the time he opened the front door, it was to see the appearance of the Old Man he and Ruby had met earlier in the crowd of Faunus.

The old man was wearing a pair of simple faded overalls with a straw hat hung by a string to his neck. The cane the old man was present with before was firmly held in the old man's hands and his rabbit ears appeared more lopsided than they had been before. It was possibly a result of high-stress, but given the environment, Shirou couldn't fault the old man.

"Hello," Shirou greeted cordially. "Come in. I still haven't thanked you for the accommodations you've given me and Ruby."

The old man nodded his head while smiling wearily. "Given the fact that we're all out here in the middle of Grimm territory, I would have been no different from the people I despise if I turned you and the brat away."

Walking in, the old man glanced around within the house before moving towards the direction of the dining table and taking a seat.

Summer glanced at Shirou, but he only shrugged his shoulders before following the old man suit.

Shirou sat across from the old man and waited.

Expectedly, the old man began talking first.

"My name is Raymond Hail," the old man introduced. "I am a Faunus."