Chapter 133
“I heard he blocked it directly since it was too close to using a sword technique.”
“Still, to get injured while blocking directly……. I knew Duke Harsen was unusually devoted to you, but this is beyond my expectations.”
Evgenia clicked her tongue. For once, I agreed with her. No matter what, there was no need to throw his body to block the attack.
“I’m glad you’re safe. But don’t you plan to punish that commoner separately? I heard you sent a royal healer to treat them.”
“Ah……. It seemed like it wasn’t done of their own will. Would it be alright if I decide on the punishment after seeing their condition post-treatment?”
“How lenient. Even if they weren’t in their right mind, they attempted to assassinate a royal and injured a noble. Yet you’d give them a reprieve? Did Duke Harsen not say anything about this?”
“I actually asked him, but he said he’d follow my decision.”
“If that’s the case, let’s discuss the punishment again after that commoner’s treatment is complete.”
As Evgenia waved her hand, I saw a quill pen move by itself, apparently writing something. She seemed to be recording our conversation, albeit briefly.
‘Must be magic? So it can be used like that too.’
It was fascinating to me, especially since I couldn’t easily use magic myself. Though magic sometimes burst out against my will, I still didn’t really understand how to use it.
I’d recently asked Killis about magic, only to be firmly rejected with warnings about severe side effects, which made this even more intriguing.
While watching the quill pen with curious eyes, I remembered something I needed to tell Evgenia.
“By the way, I’m sorry. For sending the royal healer without permission…… and for arbitrarily promising to replace the rye.”
“Sorry? If anything, I should be thanking you. Though the quantity that came into the distribution center wasn’t much, there were several instances of rye showing abnormal symptoms. It could have been disastrous if not for your actions.”
“You believe what I said?”
“I have no reason not to trust you, do I?”
“Still……. I thought you might find it hard to trust since it was just my speculation without an expert’s opinion.”
“That’s needless worry. I can simply have that verified separately.”
Though Evgenia’s words weren’t wrong, even this required some degree of trust in me. Without even a shred of faith, she might have dismissed it as nonsense without even checking.
“The healer told me there’s actually a disease in the royal records called ‘Trial of Flames’ with exactly the symptoms you described. Though it seems they had to search for a while since the name you used was different.”
“Ah, I must have confused it with something else. I’d only briefly read about it in a book before.”
I smiled awkwardly. Evgenia’s words made me belatedly realize my mistake.
This wasn’t my reality. Being inside a game, while many things might be similar to modern times, there would naturally be differences and divergences.
‘I can’t believe I went around talking about ergot poisoning.’
Fortunately, Evgenia seemed to accept my excuse, saying “Well, it would be difficult to remember everything.”
“Those who accomplish great deeds deserve proper rewards.”
Evgenia gestured to her maid. Soon, the maid placed a somewhat familiar jewel box on the table. Inside were five keys identical to the treasury key I’d seen before.
I knew through the quest that this level of reward would be given. But seeing it in person still made my eyes widen.
“This many?”
“This is nothing compared to what you’ve achieved. The treasury funds wasted on Hezica medicine were far more than this. And…….”
As Evgenia waved her hand, a small jewel box appeared in the air and slowly descended onto the table.
“This is a separate reward for resolving the Trial of Flames, and a gift from me as a mother figure.”
More rewards?
The box lid opened by itself, revealing a thin bracelet inside. Though it had no notable decorations, being a gift from Evgenia meant it couldn’t be ordinary.
“It’s a magical item with protection spells. Whether physical or magical, if your life is determined to be in danger, the protection magic will activate automatically. It only works once, but it should prove useful.”
As expected, it wasn’t an ordinary item. Protection magic sounds unrealistic, but I suppose it’s like a protective charm?
“Is it really alright for me to receive this?”
“Of course. After hearing what happened, I thought you should have some means to protect yourself. Even with guardians, they can’t always be there to protect you.”
“Then…… thank you.”
I accepted the box containing the bracelet and treasury keys Evgenia gave me.
Ding!
[<System> You have acquired ‘Royal Treasury Key’.]
[<System> You have acquired ‘Royal Treasure’.]
Eh, what?
I understand the treasury key, but what treasure? I only received the bracelet, surely this couldn’t be the treasure?
……Wait, of course it is! The bracelet is the only new thing I received!
‘This counts as a royal treasure?’
Though startling, thinking about it carefully made sense. If magical items that could prevent life-threatening situations were common, that would cause its own kind of chaos.
‘But is it really okay for me to accept this?’
Even so, to call it a treasure…….
While I hesitated, Evgenia gently urged me.
“You should put the bracelet on right away. There’s no point in having it if you don’t wear it.”
“What? Yes.”
Ah, I answered without thinking.
But Evgenia wasn’t wrong. Since it was given to me, what did it matter if it was a royal treasure or not?
I put the bracelet on my left wrist.
‘It’s light?’
I thought it would be heavy since it was made of metal, but I couldn’t feel any weight at all. It even adjusted to fit my wrist perfectly, so there was no worry about it falling off.
“Fascinating, isn’t it?”
“Ah, yes. I didn’t know it would shrink. And it’s lighter than I expected…….”
“That’s because it has recognition and weightlessness magic cast on it. You can take it off whenever you want, but it’s better not to if possible.”
“I won’t. Thank you.”
To think it had multiple spells cast on it besides the protection magic.
No wonder it could only be a royal treasure.
I fondled the bracelet under the table. Somehow, it made me happy. Not simply because I had a royal treasure, but because it pleased me that Evgenia thought of me specially enough to give me one.
“Come to think of it, your birthday is coming up soon.”
Is that so?
I hadn’t been paying attention to it, so I didn’t know at all. But to specifically mention my birthday…….
“Usually birthday gifts are given on the day, but I thought it would be better to give this gift early.”
I had a feeling, but to actually bring up birthday presents.
Having already received the treasury keys and the treasure bracelet, I couldn’t help feeling this was a bit excessive, though nice.
‘Still, it’s better to accept what’s being offered.’
From talking with Evgenia, I’d noticed she didn’t seem to like false modesty. Though I shouldn’t be too prideful either.
“If you’re offering, I’ll gratefully accept.”
“I’ll give you the right to choose a new guardian.”
Ding!
[<System> Hidden Quest information revealed.]
[<Hidden Quest> Trial of Qualification.
Evgenia is grateful to you for solving a long-standing problem and achieving various accomplishments.
Those who prove their worth deserve proper rewards!
Evgenia wants to open a new path for you. Welcome a new guardian by your birthday banquet.
―Success: Linked Quest ‘Trial of Lublin’
(※Warning※) If refused, quest will be reset and cancelled.]
[Cancel] / [Confirm]
For a moment, my heart seemed to sink.
A new guardian? They want me to add more besides Isaac and Reno?
“Meliana has three guardians, so wouldn’t it be good to have balance?”
While I blinked in confusion, Evgenia said with a gentle smile.
“I’ll make the announcement tomorrow, so keep that in mind.”
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