Chapter 73 – The Treasure Vault

Aunt Diana hated being called “master.” Despite being only in her mid-twenties, she also hated being called “big sister.”

So I called her “aunt” instead.

Aunt Diana was an adventurer.

Not a particularly famous one.

But looking back, I realize Aunt Diana was incredibly strong.

Fittingly, her personality was rather harsh.

She would beat Paulo and me regularly, determined to break our habit of pickpocketing.

She never used her bare hands.

She claimed that using bare hands would put too much emotion into it, which wasn’t good for children. Instead, she used a stick she had acquired from somewhere.

But that was a lie.

There was plenty of emotion in those beatings.

At first, perhaps there wasn’t, but as time passed, more and more emotion found its way in.

Worry and sympathy. And a strange, tingling feeling that’s hard to describe.

Once I began to sense those emotions, Aunt Diana started to truly raise us.

She remained harsh, but she began paying attention to us, teaching us swordsmanship, how to kill monsters and demons, and how to survive in this miserable world.

Five years later, as Aunt Diana approached her thirties, she died after killing a demon that had been trying to kill Paulo and me.

It’s a common tale for people of that era. And an unforgettable one.

Anyway.

There’s a sword that Aunt Diana used to wield.

Its design is ordinary, but the letters engraved on the pommel identify it as hers.

D, R, P.

I don’t know why it’s here. I don’t know who might have used Aunt Diana’s sword after her. I could find out by reading the description below, but I’d rather not.

I just know that it’s the most finely crafted sword here. That it has semi-permanent self-repairing magic enchanted upon it.

That Aunt Diana used it. And that it was the sword I had always wanted to use.

“…How about this one?”

Shaking off the old memories, I handed it to Yurasia.

If she didn’t like it, I’d have no choice but to choose something else, but I was still planning to try and persuade her.

While my own selfish desire played a part, it was still an excellent sword for Yurasia to use. So I was ready to make my case, but…

“I love it!”

Without any hesitation, Yurasia accepted the sword and smiled brightly.

“Don’t you want to check it out first?”

“How could anything my lady chose after such careful consideration possibly be bad?”

Her transparent emotion and sincere voice left me momentarily speechless.

“Well… that’s true, but weren’t you eyeing other weapons earlier?”

“I was, but I still like the sword you chose best. Hehe.”

“…Well, then… yes. Let’s go with that.”

“Yes!”

Lately, I’ve been experiencing these… strange, tingling emotions more frequently.

It’s the kind of feeling that makes me want to do something mischievous to dispel it, but it’s not unpleasant, and it’s actually not that bad—just an odd sensation.

My mood has been peculiar lately.

I clenched and unclenched my tingling hands as I walked.

Twenty minutes later.

Having made my selection, I exited the Treasure Vault.

It hadn’t taken me long to choose something for myself.

After all, I couldn’t use weapons, and I disliked armor because it’s uncomfortable.

So I chose an artifact instead.

“…What is that, Ellie?”

As soon as we left the Treasure Vault, my father’s eyes widened at what I was holding.

“It’s a bandage with self-repairing magic on it.”

“…And?”

“Well… it also quickly restores mana and stamina, heals wounds, and it’s incredibly durable.”

My father’s trembling gaze fixated on the pure white bandage in my hands for a long moment.

Then, after swallowing hard, he carefully said:

“I-I see. So… that’s what you chose? If you’d like, I could speak with His Majesty…”

“No, it’s fine. I like this.”

I shook my head and smiled gently.

It wasn’t a forced smile. It was simply a natural expression of my good mood.

Of course, everyone around me—even the Commander of the Nameless—still looked puzzled.

It was understandable.

After all, from the Imperial Palace’s vast treasure vault, all I had taken was a bandage.

Even I would find it ridiculous. The artifacts in the vault each possessed remarkable powers.

Some could completely erase one’s presence, others could harness the power of wind to enhance speed, some were mana tanks capable of storing enormous amounts of energy, and others could amplify magical power.

Yet I chose a bandage.

Because this bandage is, for me right now, the most important and necessary artifact of all.

I clutched it tightly in my warm hand.

“Alright. If that’s what you want, Ellie…”

“Thank you for your concern.”

I chuckled softly, then turned to the Emperor, who, like my father, was regarding me with a peculiar expression.

“This is my choice.”

“Hmm, very well. Since you have decided, it would be inappropriate for me to object. So be it.”

“Thank you.”

After Yurasia also reported to the Emperor with proper knightly etiquette, she happily secured her new sword to her previously empty waist.

“As Duke Turrius Eustetia requested, we shall conclude the ceremony quietly. Might you have any final thoughts?”

At the Emperor’s words, my father’s gaze returned to me.

He was giving me one last chance to change my mind.

I shook my head without hesitation.

Even if someone threatened my life, I wouldn’t change my choice.

***

A brief meeting was held between the Imperial family and House Eustetia. The topic concerned the observers for the Forbidden Archive.

The Imperial family explained that their observer was necessary to ensure the information I learned wouldn’t be leaked elsewhere.

In other words, they wanted to keep track of what information I acquired. And if knowledge from the Forbidden Archive were leaked, they would hold me accountable.

House Eustetia, taking the opposite position, said their observer was to reassure me and provide protection from any potential Imperial pressure.

That was House Eustetia’s official stance. As for their true intentions, I couldn’t be certain.

Why go to such lengths, risking conflict with the Imperial family, just to assign an observer?

Well… if their stated reason was genuine, there’s no need to overthink it. Perhaps they truly are just concerned for my safety.

But judging from my father’s expression, it seemed there might be something more.

Is there information they’re reluctant to share with me? Could it be a secret related to House Eustetia itself?

I had my suspicions…

“My lady, is something troubling you?”

As I pondered this, Yurasia, seated across from me, cautiously asked.

“No, nothing’s bothering me.”

I shook my head and crunched on a cookie I’d been eating.

The reception room in the Imperial Palace was truly impressive.

While the meeting took place, Yurasia and I had been ushered to a separate reception room where we were told to enjoy the refreshments.

And these cookies were exceptionally delicious. The ones from House Eustetia were good too, but the Imperial Palace’s were on another level entirely.

I suppose that’s why it’s called the Imperial Palace.

Crunch, crunch

Having finished all the shortbread cookies, I sank deeper into the large chair.

Meanwhile, Yurasia was beaming with happiness, constantly touching the sword at her waist, practically radiating joy.

“Are you really that happy?”

“Yes! Incredibly happy!”

Yurasia smiled, her golden hair—like molten sunlight—swaying gently.

Seeing her so delighted made me want to tease her.

You know that feeling when you see something so adorably cute that you just want to pinch it, squeeze it, or playfully torment it a little?

That’s exactly how I felt.

So I couldn’t help myself.

“It seems like you like that sword more than the one I gave you before.”

It was just a joke, completely devoid of sincerity. I simply wanted to see Yurasia get flustered and stammer.

In truth, I was grateful that she liked the sword. After all, it belonged to someone who was essentially a benefactor from my past life, and now it would be used by Yurasia, whom I deeply care about.

But…

“Oh my, are you jealous, my lady?”

“…W-what?”

“You’re jealous because it seems like I prefer this sword to your gift, aren’t you?”

What’s gotten into her? This isn’t her usual reaction at all.

“…No? Why would I be jealous?”

“Hmm… are you sure about that?”

What’s with that mischievous tone?

“Goodness… Y-Yurasia.”

“Yes?”

“Who taught you to be so cheeky…?”

Yurasia’s smile grew even more impish.

“Who knows?”

Then with a soft giggle, she reached out and brushed my lips. Following her touch, cookie crumbs that had been stuck there fell away.

“You always get food on your face when you eat, my lady.”

What is this? What’s she doing? Why is she acting like this today?

Has she lost her mind?

While I blinked in surprise at her bold action, Yurasia casually licked the cookie crumbs from her finger.

“Wait… why are you eating that?”

“Oh, just out of habit… hehe.”

What kind of habit is that…?

I narrowed my eyes and glared at her. But Yurasia simply continued grinning and said:

“My lady gets flustered too, I see.”

“I swear I’m going to give you such a scolding soon.”

“Me? You’re going to scold me?”

“That’s right.”

“Well… but not just yet.”

“Not yet? Not YET? Goodness, you’re far too young for such attitude. Come back in 400 years.”

“Wow… my lady, you sound exactly like my grandmother.”

“Oh, you little…”

I glared sharply at Yurasia. She merely stuck out her tongue playfully and smiled brightly.

“So, my lady, my lady.”

“What is it?”

“That bandage… do you really like it that much?”

Yurasia’s gaze shifted to the bandage on the table.

A neatly rolled, pure white bandage.

I gently stroked it and nodded.

“Yes, I like it very much.”

“But… isn’t it rather… ordinary compared to the other artifacts?”

“It is ordinary.”

It was indeed an utterly ordinary bandage. Just a simple wrap imbued with common enchantments found on other artifacts.

“But.”

When I reach the 6th Tier.

At that point, for me…

“It will become the most important artifact of all.”

“…Is it truly that important?”

“Yes.”

I don’t know what expression I wore at that moment. But whatever it was, Yurasia said nothing more after that.

***

“I told you to make an artifact, and you come up with this weird thing. What is this rag?”

“If you’d just stay quiet, we might get somewhere. You idiot, look properly. Does this look like a rag to you?”

“And you’re calling this an artifact?”

“Open your eyes and look carefully. When you wrap it around your hand like this and channel a steady flow of at least 6th Tier mana through it… Ta-da! Do you see it?”

“‘Ta-da’? What am I supposed to be seeing?”

“You see this white thread connected to my heart, right? This artifact allows someone to locate me wherever I am.”

“Garbage.”

“You idiot! Why is it garbage? This is an artifact infused with the essence of an incredible miracle. And that’s not all! It has self-restoration capabilities that surpass ordinary magic and durability that even a dragon’s teeth couldn’t tear. Plus, the pattern is unique to us, so even if some random person stole it, they wouldn’t know how to use it properly.”

“Self-repair is standard for artifacts now, so that’s nothing special. And who cares if someone can find your location? What good is that?”

“It could be incredibly useful in battle situations where we might get separated.”

“Why would we ever be separated?”

“Who knows? A labyrinth might appear and trap us in different areas, or we could get caught in Luxurina’s illusions and unable to escape. Especially idiots like you—you’d surely die without my miracles! Don’t you see how valuable it would be to find me in such situations?”

“Your premise is wrong to begin with. As if I’d ever let someone like you be alone. My job is to protect you, no matter when or where. So this rag is completely useless.”

“…You’ll protect me, no matter when or where?”

“You’re talking as if I haven’t always done so.”

“…Ha, ha, ha! Well… anyway. Someday. Someday… if we—or even if not me, then Arisa, Paulo, or Kaloso—are all scattered far apart. Wouldn’t it be good if we could find each other again?”

“Well, if that happened, then yes, we could all gather together.”

“Exactly. If everyone follows this white thread to where I am… we can all reunite. That’s the purpose of this artifact.”

The pure white bandage.

“Its name is Habar.”

Its meaning:

“Reunion.”