Chapter 6
“Lili, that… Valen-something Young Duke.”
[Raiden Valentier! If you make a mistake outside, it’s a big problem! Nobles care a lot about names!]
“Yes. The Young Duke Valentier. That man is suspicious.”
[Really? Umm… why would he come to our father’s study?]
I asked in case she knew something—
But Lili didn’t seem to know anything.
“Shall we go check together?”
[Yes! Let’s go! Hurry!]
The hallway was quiet again.
I easily entered the study.
“Lili, show me where and how the Young Duke moved.”
Lili stood in front of the bookshelf where I saw him.
Then—
[Here! He pulled out two books at the same time! He started from the top and stopped around the middle!]
“Lili, you’re smart.”
[Hehe! Just trust me!]
Thanks to her, things became much easier.
I started from the middle.
Just like him—
I pulled out two books at once and pushed them back.
Slide. Tap. Slide.
I repeated it again and again.
Then—
When I pulled the third and fourth books from the bottom shelf—
The bookshelf trembled slightly.
Click!
A hidden mechanism unlocked behind it.
“Found it faster than I thought.”
If the Young Duke hadn’t left—
He would have found it first.
[Woooow! What is this?!]
“Let’s take a look.”
I bent down.
I saw a faint line behind the shelf.
I pressed it—
A thin panel opened, revealing a hidden space.
A hidden drawer.
But I didn’t reach in immediately.
Because—
I felt something familiar.
It was not Qi—
But something different…
Yet close to me.
“Hmm…”
I calmed my breathing.
Why would a hidden item feel… familiar?
My blood was reacting.
This wasn’t imagination.
Slowly—
I reached in.
“Reveal yourself.”
Cling—!!!
A thin metal rod with small bells fell out.
But the sound—
It didn’t ring in my ears.
It echoed inside my chest.
Even a small bell carried such a powerful wave.
This was a magical artifact.
“Why is a magical artifact here…?”
[Wow! It’s pretty! But what is a magical artifact? Can we keep it?!]
“…A magical artifact is… something from my world.”
[Your world?]
“Yes.”
To find something from my world here—
It brought both surprise and joy.
I didn’t know why the Young Duke wanted it.
But—
“What matters is… it is now in my hands.”
I carefully hid it inside my clothes.
Then quickly returned to my room.
As soon as I entered—
I sealed the door with a formation.
Now, even a key couldn’t open it.
I infused my energy into the artifact.
Jingle… jingle…
The bells vibrated faintly.
The energy was still active.
This was already activated.
I lightly touched it.
At that moment—
An image appeared in my mind.
A door.
A closed door—
Connected to somewhere.
Waiting to be opened—
By this artifact.
That was all I could learn.
So I withdrew my energy.
“To understand it fully… I need to find that door.”
[A door? Where?!]
“I wonder.”
Fortunately—
There was someone who might know.
The Young Duke.
Since he was searching for it.
Then—
I need to raise my level again.
To deal with him equally—
I needed at least Qi Condensation Level 3.
Dawn light entered through the window.
“Morning already… I wish night would come soon.”
[Why do you like night?]
“Because I might get money… and find the door you’re curious about.”
[Wow! I want night to come fast!]
Lili yawned.
[Can I go sleep and come back at night?]
“Of course. Rest well.”
Before training—
I decided to hide the artifact.
If the Young Duke searched—
He would find it easily inside the mansion.
So—
“Near the training ground.”
Energy could hide energy.
The knights’ training aura would cover it.
Behind the mansion—
I buried it under a tree.
“Good.”
Back in my room—
I sat down to cultivate.
Reaching Level 3 in half a day was risky—
But not impossible.
I trained all day.
No one even came to call me for food.
Better that way.
Finally—
As night fell—
I broke through.
Qi Condensation Level 3.
The energy in my dantian began to take shape.
Now—
Even breathing could circulate energy.
“Such speed… I almost want to praise myself.”
Who could reach Level 3 in just days?
Even masters could not.
Unless—
“I am truly a genius.”
Long ago—
Others were jealous of my growth.
They called it luck.
Only my master believed in my talent.
“…Strange feeling.”
To think—
I was once close to becoming immortal—
Yet now struggling at this level.
And even so—
I still couldn’t defeat the Young Duke.
“No need to rush.”
I am a cultivator.
I can use techniques.
Bind him.
Buy time.
“I must ask him about that artifact… even if I must risk everything.”
And—
“I will also take money for a dress while I’m at it.”
I smiled.
“I’m curious about his answer.”
A magical artifact—
Can only be used by a cultivator.
Which means—
There may be another cultivator in this world.
Late at night—
I took a dagger and went to the study.
I listened carefully.
Tap… tap…
As expected—
He came again.
I opened the door quietly.
The Young Duke stood inside.
In an instant—
I moved behind him.
I pressed the dagger to his neck.
But—
“Lady, what brings you here at this late hour?”
He didn’t tremble.
Not even his breathing changed.
Did he expect me?
“Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”
“That’s true.”
He smiled.
“This is your mansion… I almost forgot, seeing how you are treated here.”
Even now—
He talks too much.
Then—
Lili’s shocked voice echoed.
[B-big sister!!!]
“Hmm? You’re awake.”
[What are you doing?! Why are you pointing a knife at Lord Raiden?!]
“He is suspicious. It’s the same man from yesterday.”
[Ah! Right! Why isn’t he hiding his face today?]
“Because he realized I was acting.”
[I knew it!]
If only he hadn’t pretended to fall for it…
Also—
I didn’t like how Lili stared at him closely.
I should show her what kind of man he is.
“Young Duke, the item you were looking for is in my hands.”
“….”
“You ran away so quickly, I thought my act worked. Turns out I was the one fooled.”
His face stiffened.
He understood it was true.
“I hid it well. If I die, you will never find it.”
“No one will ever find it.”
“…Why are you telling me this?”
“Answer my question honestly.”
“Then I will give it to you.”
What will you choose?
Force?
Or cooperation?
Silence filled the room.
“Lady Rize, I—”
At that moment—
Footsteps approached.
Before I could react—
The Young Duke pulled me into his arms.
His arm wrapped around my waist.
His hand covered my mouth.
And—
He blew out the candle.
“Is someone there?”
A maid opened the door slightly.
We both stayed completely still.
His heartbeat echoed in my ears.
Thump. Thump.
What should I do?
Should I knock the maid out…?
