CHAPTER 60…………….
Antias wore an apologetic look.
“Yeees, Priest Talos. I’m sorry, but it’s still under development…”
But the way he dragged out his words made it hard to take his apology seriously.
Talos’s lips stiffened.
“I put you forward as the new Ninth Priest to replace Sisyphus. Then you’d better show results!”
“Umm, the truth is… so far everything has been a failure…”
“Haa…”
“It would be nice if I had a bit more material for the experiments…”
Talos pressed his temples to suppress his surging anger.
‘Didn’t he say once that even small fragments would be enough?’
But after repeated trials, it seemed small amounts of bloodstone had limits.
‘Using Andvari now is too risky.’
He folded his arms, recalling what cards the temple still had left.
‘I did put the prince under brainwashing as well, but…’
Perhaps because of the distance, he wasn’t as obedient as Andvari when given instructions.
Not that Talos ever expected much from that bastard child anyway.
‘Hmph. If the one planted in Kore must remain hidden…’
After pondering, he finally replied slowly.
“Fine. I’ll find a way to procure more bloodstone.”
“Thank youuu, Priest Talos. But how will you obtain it…?”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
Talos smirked arrogantly.
“By smuggling it out of the demons’ mines.”
Preferably from a place near the human kingdoms, where it would be easier to shake off the demons’ pursuit.
‘Now, which location allows immediate supply…?’
He raised his eyes to the map of the continent on the wall.
Where Tartarus bordered Iliod, and wasn’t too far from the Halcyon Theocracy.
The southernmost territory of Tartarus—the County of Terraine.
After the incident in Beled.
The people of our Perseon Palace were marveling over the treasure chests from the wizards.
‘Wow. No matter how many times I look, it’s still amazing.’
Three entire chests filled to the brim with treasures!
Even Rethe, who usually turned her nose up at ordinary jewelry, clapped her hands.
“So many artifacts gathered in one place! Truly a rare sight.”
“But still… Father gave me far too much.”
Out of the five chests given by the Creusa guildmaster, three had come to me.
‘He’ll spoil me rotten at this rate.’
In truth, he had wanted to give me all five, and I had hastily refused in horror.
Rethe’s eyes gleamed as she flipped through pages of the item list.
“Oh my…! A necklace perfect for when Your Highness grows a little older! But what should we do—this pearl necklace would suit you so well…! But then, the sapphire pendant is also wonderful!”
“Rethe. Are you breathing?”
“Yes! Ah, but truly, that merchant guild has excellent taste. So many necklaces, rings…”
Her eyes sparkled—no, nearly glowed.
Then, with the air of one facing a great dilemma, she clasped her hands together and whispered gravely.
“…How to combine them for the best effect?”
“Rethe, I only have one neck.”
No matter how pretty, I couldn’t possibly wear everything she just mentioned at once.
Rethe blinked, startled, then collected herself.
“R-right! Ah, but you do have ten fingers, Princess!”
“….”
“And multiple bracelets could be layered on your wrists as well!”
“No, that’s still too much.”
Still, seeing Rethe so delighted, and Minte smiling too, made me happy.
Quietly, I took out two jewel cases from one of the chests.
Their shells gleamed with a soft purple sheen, rimmed in gold—the cases themselves were treasures.
“Um, Rethe. Minte.”
“Yes, Princess!”
“What is it?”
“There’s something in here I want each of you to have.”
First, I opened one case to show Rethe.
Inside were pendants perfect for chokers.
Round opals, square-cut emeralds surrounded by small diamonds, and pendants shaped like golden leaves.
‘I remember seeing Rethe wear this type at my birthday celebration.’
I pressed the jewel case into her frozen hands, then turned to Minte.
“I wanted to give you armor or a sword. But… it wouldn’t really be useful, would it?”
“Princess…”
After all, she was a knight who split mountains with sword aura.
Giving her a mediocre weapon would only hold her back.
“So instead, I prepared this.”
Since Minte disliked cumbersome accessories, I chose what she preferred—belt or gloves.
So I picked out a refined black leather belt and gloves.
At first, I wondered, They’re beautiful, but are they precious enough?
“The southern wizards inscribed defensive spells on these two.”
“H-here? On the embroidery along the edges…?”
“Yes, exactly.”
“…!”
It wasn’t mere gold-thread stitching—each stitch carried protective enchantments. True treasures.
Rethe, who had received her gift first, was already tearing up.
“Princess, I can’t possibly accept—”
In the end, she bowed her head while clutching the case.
Minte spoke up on her sister’s behalf, her own eyes glistening.
“Princess, these were given to you as thanks for saving the children.”
“But Father already gave me permission.”
“Still—though it’s a great honor to receive such gifts, please keep them, Princess.”
“…No. I’ve long wanted to give you two something.”
At that, everyone in the room widened their eyes.
The ones who had suffered most from my whims and stubbornness…
‘Were the Epikus sisters.’
Of course, they always said it was enough if I was happy.
And I knew they truly meant it.
But still, I wanted to repay them.
And also…
“When I was little, I didn’t speak for so long… I must have worried you endlessly.”
Thinking back—such a tiny thing, staging a silent protest with my mouth shut… how frustrating that must have been.
‘Not to mention, every time I used magic, I’d collapse and need their care.’
Yet they endured it, because I was their princess.
‘I can only be grateful, really.’
But if I said it outright, I was sure they would refuse again.
“So please. Accept them.”
This time I pressed harder. The sisters fell silent.
It had been a long time since I saw those identical faces blur with tears at the same moment.
To shift the mood, I cleared my throat with exaggerated gravity.
“Ahem. Ares, Kallion, come here too.”
“Eh?”
“Lord Shion, us too?”
“Of course. Ah, but first… Deucalion.”
At his formal name, Kallion immediately straightened his back.
I gave Minte a subtle nod.
“Deucalion. I couldn’t grant you the position of magic knight.”
“Yes, Lady Elysion.”
“But under Sir Epikus’s supervision, I’ll allow you to wield a sword.”
Until now, only Ares had been permitted to summon a real blade.
‘Because Kallion was technically still a hostage.’
I nodded at the maid waiting by the door.
What she brought was, of course, another gift from the guild.
‘They really gave us everything imaginable.’
What I had chosen was a small sword.
I had seen them before—carried by paladins or nobles here.
Its gilt hilt bore feather carvings, and the blade was sharp and elegant.
I struggled to lift it with both hands, and Kallion hastily dropped to one knee to receive it.
“They say the sword grows longer as you grow taller! And it’s very sturdy.”
“Ah…!”
“Use it well for self-defense, Kallion.”
“Yes. I’ll cherish it… truly cherish it.”
This boy. What use is cherishing a sword?
‘When the time comes, you should swing it boldly.’
Still, seeing his eyes wet moved me—my effort in picking it had been worthwhile.
Then—
“What about me? Do I get a sword too?”
Ares, who had been silent until now, suddenly brightened his eyes.
And just like that, the touching mood shattered into pieces.
I sighed deeply at my little brother.
Unbelievable, really.
“…Ares! You already have a sword!”
Must this sister really shout at you!
