Chapter 24
“The Holy Sword of Prakachia…”
Hella tilted her head, pondering my request with a mysterious expression. Her long, indigo nails, sparkling like the night sky, tapped lightly near her chin.
Finally, she smiled, revealing a dimple.
“For a little guest to come barging in like this, that’s a bold first request. We only trade based on trust, you see.”
“I understand. But if it were something easy to obtain, I wouldn’t have come all this way alone.”
Hella burst into laughter.
“Hmm, that’s true too. Clever, aren’t you?”
Even though I was only thirteen, I carried the experience of someone twice my age inside me.
Of course, in front of Hella, who had lived hundreds of years, my age didn’t matter much.
She rested her chin on her hand and scanned me with her pale, moon-like eyes.
Her gaze was probing.
She was trying to discern what this little girl before her really was, where I came from, and whether I had any value.
“The Holy Sword… I don’t think you’d be wielding it yourself.”
Naturally.
‘What could I possibly do with these skinny little arms?’
At this stage of my life, I hadn’t even lifted anything heavier than a teaspoon. Ten days of training had improved things slightly, but after eleven years of a comfortable life, my body hadn’t changed that much.
“And more importantly…”
Her previously languid expression suddenly turned cold.
“You’re not a mage, are you, little guest?”
Her voice was chillingly even. My shoulders stiffened.
‘As expected… she noticed immediately.’
If it were anyone else, maybe not, but Hella would notice the moment she faced me. After hundreds of years as a mage, that level of insight was natural.
Still, I was incredibly lucky in one regard.
At this time, Hella did not know the face of Princess Lorea.
The emperor’s effort to keep my existence secret worked in my favor.
Had she known I was the princess?
She would have torn me apart without hesitation.
Then it happened.
A low vibration crawled along my neck. I felt goosebumps rise.
Even without turning around, I knew it:
A sinister, threatening magic was targeting me.
‘……’
My heart pounded.
It would be a lie to say I wasn’t scared. But if I showed fear here, it would be the end.
“Will you answer me?”
Hella smiled gently, as if she had never hardened her expression.
But I knew.
This magic could instantly kill me if she willed it.
“This place cannot be entered unless you are a mage. You seem to know that, little guest, so how did you make it this far?”
If I didn’t answer properly, I would die.
In just a month, how many times had my neck been targeted? Carlos, Vincent, and now Hella.
‘Is this karma?’
I steadied my breath, careful not to let my trembling voice betray me.
“That… is the ‘price’ I offer you.”
I spoke as calmly as I could.
“There’s one gap in your otherwise perfect trading system.”
Hella’s trading method was simple: if you wanted something, you offered a corresponding price. It could be information, an item, or a person.
Of course, the most effective currency would be a refined stone capable of controlling magic, but that was my last weapon—I couldn’t overuse it here.
‘Aside from the refined stone, there is no more certain price.’
Hella’s pale eyes reflected nothing. I could not discern what she was thinking—whether she was intrigued or simply planning to kill me.
A tense silence stretched on; a second felt like a minute.
Finally, she leaned back on the sofa.
At the same time, the overwhelming magic aimed at my neck withdrew.
‘…Phew.’
I almost sighed in relief but held it back.
“Good. You’re smarter than I expected, little guest.”
Her violet hair slipped through her fingers gracefully.
“The price is to be paid upfront. You understand?”
“Of course.”
I took a pendant necklace from beneath my robe and removed it.
Immediately, the magical energy from Carlos receded, and my hair and eyes returned to their natural colors.
“…Hmm?”
For the first time, Hella looked puzzled.
Normally, disguising one’s appearance with artifacts was common magic. There was no way a simple disguise could hide my presence from Damian or pass through Hella’s high-level magic detection.
But the magic within the artifact Carlos had given me was not ordinary.
“This is a specially crafted artifact.”
Hella’s eyes locked onto the pendant.
“The caster’s magic is strongly condensed inside. When worn, it seeps throughout the body, spreading their power while simultaneously providing disguise and protection.”
It was amazing even as I explained it.
I had learned of this magic just before my previous regression, right before taking down Carlos completely.
He had used it the same way to conceal Damian from Hella.
‘…I didn’t expect Carlos would use this magic for me too.’
I recalled his unusually weary face—pale, yet hiding the toll of magic, silently sending me off without a word.
A strange heaviness pressed on my chest.
‘One day, I’ll repay him.’
Hella took the artifact, examining it with interest. She rotated it, sent magic through it, and a few seconds later nodded as if fully understanding.
“There’s no flaw in my magic… but this is an unexpected loophole.”
She looked at me.
“Whoever made this artifact, they’re no ordinary practitioner.”
‘Carlos Carter.’
Of course, I didn’t say it.
Hella placed the artifact back on the table.
“Very well. This price is sufficient. I accept the deal.”
I almost burst with joy but barely restrained myself from celebrating. Dangerous.
I held it in.
“Cute little guest,” she said with a soft smile.
Had she noticed everything?
I quickly pressed my lips together.
‘Embarrassing…’
Hella tapped the armrest of the sofa lightly.
Her demeanor had softened considerably; it was hard to believe she had moments ago been ready to kill me.
“As you probably already know, the Holy Sword of Prakachia is not easy even for me to acquire.”
She said,
“‘You know what a ‘holy sword’ is, right, little guest?’”
“I wouldn’t have come if I didn’t.”
I put the necklace back on, answering calmly.
The sword of the legendary Swordmaster, a sentient relic that harmonizes with its owner to achieve maximum power.
It was also the weapon Damian gained by sacrificing one of his eyes during my previous life, enduring the emperor’s interference.
