Chapter 247
They said they couldn’t return the mementos even after the memorial service.
Now I understood why The Guardian had refused my request and said he couldn’t return it.
The climax of the memorial service was the pendant. As the pendant, sealed within a transparent fruit like the other mementos, appeared, The Guardian prayed.
—Honoring our heroes.
The memorial service ended.
As the elves began to leave the temple, we were about to follow suit.
—Please wait a moment.
The Guardian called out to us. His gaze lingered on Reno, a look so direct it was clear he wanted to speak with Reno.
—I wish to speak with you for a moment. It won’t take long, so please spare some time.
Reno seemed to have realized it too.
“Your Highness, may I go?”
“Go ahead. I’ll wait outside the temple.”
“Yes. I’ll be back soon.”
After seeing The Guardian and Reno go further into the temple, we stepped outside. We waited for Reno to emerge.
“I didn’t know Your Highness was so skilled at drawing.”
“Drawing?”
Suddenly?
When I questioned Killis’s remark, he quietly said,
“I saw the portrait Your Highness drew earlier. Lord Reno showed it to me, asking if I could cast a preservation magic on it. That’s when I saw it.”
“…….”
“Your skill is as remarkable as that of a renowned artist.”
That’s excessive praise. Though I had managed to make a living with such crude skill, my ability was as common as a kicked stone, repeatedly discarded.
Yet, being praised like this made me blush.
“I don’t think it’s that good……?”
“I mean it. When did you improve your drawing skills?”
Only after hearing that question did I realize the subtle, strange incongruity I had felt. It wasn’t just a simple compliment.
‘When did my drawing skills improve?’
It was suspicion. My heart sank with a thud. Surely, they wouldn’t suspect my true identity just from this.
However, if things like this accumulated, it would lead to trouble.
Ding!
[<System> A character is observing you closely. Be careful not to let the character suspect you.]
Seeing the message window made it even clearer. This was an unexpected variable. To be suspected for something like this.
“Did they improve? I just drew what I saw……?”
“You drew what you saw?”
“Yes. I just had to copy it. It’s easy.”
I acted shamelessly. If I showed any sign of agitation here, I’d only get caught up.
“I see. Indeed, Your Highness has always had artistic talent.”
Whatever it was, it seemed my skill wasn’t unwatchable. That’s a relief, at least.
“Speaking of magic, when will you teach me? You promised to teach me when I came to the elven village.”
“That is correct. But Your Highness already wields magic, having awakened to Omnipotence, have you not?”
“Omnipotence?”
“It refers to the ability to manipulate mana and transform it into magic. Normally, one cannot even sense the flow of mana, let alone cast spells.”
“…….”
“Your Highness understands this entire process. You’ve used dimensional pocket, and even fast-movement magic over short distances.”
No…… I don’t even know what the flow of mana is…….
“Royalty, being descendants of Lublin, can easily use Omnipotence. Your Highness would be no different. Since you understand Omnipotence, there is nothing I can teach you.”
“But you said you’d teach me magic?”
“I intended to observe how much magic Your Highness could use to prevent you from overexerting yourself and to teach you how to manage your mana before depletion. But you’ve already experienced that, haven’t you?”
Is this like that? Like when you just become an adult, and your parents watch over you to see your drinking capacity because it’s dangerous to overindulge?
“Omniscience must be contemplated and understood by oneself. It is a lifelong challenge for mages. Of course, it is also a part I cannot assist you with.”
“Omniscience? What’s that?”
“You can think of it as the understanding and knowledge required to use magic. In the case of fire magic, one must understand ‘fire’ to imagine its form and cast it.”
“So, if I can observe and imagine the form, that’s enough?”
“Imagining alone does not make everything materialize. It requires sufficient mana and the ability to control it precisely.”
I sort of get it, and sort of don’t…….
Anyway, I understood what Killis meant by saying he would teach me magic. He probably intended to teach me how to control mana.
Since I still couldn’t feel mana and didn’t even realize mana was depleting while using items, Killis’s help would still be effective.
‘But I can’t ask him.’
The way I handle it, thanks to the System, and the way Killis knows it, are undoubtedly different.
If I tried to explain or make him understand…….
‘I’ll be suspected again.’
I swallowed a sigh and opened my mouth.
“That’s a shame. I was looking forward to learning magic from Killis.”
“From me?”
“I enjoyed our lessons at the palace too.”
They were quite beneficial. Thanks to them, many of my curiosities were resolved.
Ding!
[<System> Affection with ‘Killis Yelpen’ has significantly increased.]
Upon seeing the message window pop up while I was nodding, I looked at Killis again.
“I didn’t know Your Highness thought that.”
Although he appeared normal at first glance, he subtly avoided my gaze, almost as if he were shy. Truly, I can never quite figure out this affection level.
After that, during a brief lull in conversation, I opened the system window to check Killis’s affection.
[<Character> Killis Yelpen
—Affection: 91 / 100 (Love)]
‘It’s back to the highest stage.’
Funnily enough, it felt like getting something back that had been taken, so it was more a feeling of indifference than joy.
And, just like with Reno, it was difficult to be as genuinely happy as before. Because ultimately, I couldn’t reciprocate these feelings.
Soon after, Reno emerged from the temple. He looked a little surprised to see us.
“You really waited.”
“I said I would. Did you finish talking with The Guardian?”
“Yes. It concluded well.”
Reno nodded in reply.
‘Should I ask what he talked about with The Guardian?’
Though curious, I didn’t want to burden him, so I was about to suggest we leave when.
“I’ve decided not to stay.”
“Huh?”
“I thought you might be curious. He offered to help me settle in the village if I wanted. Saying everyone would welcome me since I’m his child.”
“Did you perhaps refuse?”
Reno shrugged at Killis’s question.
“Of course. My place is by Your Highness’s side.”
My heart fluttered looking at the man’s warm smile. To think that such blind affection could become so burdensome.
I should just accept what I’m given, enjoy what I can, and then return to my world, but why can’t I?
‘Still, I’m glad Reno decided to stay by my side.’
I knew it was selfish, but for now, it was true.
* * *
It had already been six days since we arrived in the elven village.
‘Tomorrow, I’ll get the token and be able to leave, right?’
The period The Guardian gave me was one week. Seeing that there’s no word until today, the last day remaining, it must be progressing smoothly.
Staying in the elf village wasn’t without its gains. We managed to get information about our next destination, the Dwarf Village, from Vita and Natura.
They said that if we continued past the roots where the Nex were handled, deeper down, there was a passage leading to the Dwarf Village. A passage built by the dwarves themselves, they said.
However, the passage was sealed by a solid metal door at the end, and it would only open if we pleased the dwarves.
Thanks to the elves promising to guide us to the passage, a burden was lifted from my mind, but…….
‘Why am I so uneasy?’
Is it because, both in reality and since the first day I entered this game, I’ve lived more days hectically than days I rested?
Even in situations where I should be worry-free, my body felt restless and anxious, with a complex array of emotions ceaselessly surfacing.
‘To think that peaceful rest would be this difficult.’
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