Chapter 10 – Chasing Clues (Part 6)

The first scene was of Yurishien being abandoned by her parents. All the memories she had experienced flowed quickly.

Working at the temple, being hurt by people, manifesting as a Saintess, and all the time she spent with Diana.

‘Ah… it’s this moment.’

She saw the scene where the host of the dark magic attached to Diana expelled Yurishien’s god and took its place. After that, moments of her acting as a Saintess and the times she tried to harm Fernan and herself appeared.

[The creature is in a dormant state as a consequence of using its power. Now is the only opportunity to convey words without it knowing.]

With a bright light, Ellerdin awoke from the memories. Her vision returned, and she still saw the fainted Diana and the crying Yurishien before her.

All of this happened in less than five seconds.

Ellerdin slowly approached them. As she did, Yurishien growled and hugged Diana. Diana’s complexion was still poor.

“Leave now.”

Yurishien unleashed her holy power. Surprised, Ellerdin knelt down to meet her eye level.

“Wait a moment.”

She held Diana’s hand and channeled her healing power. With a faint glow, Diana breathed peacefully with a relaxed face.

Her cold body started to warm up, and her stiff limbs began to loosen.

Yurishien lifted her head abruptly.

“What is… you… you are…”

Ellerdin took Yurishien’s cold hand.

Her ice-cold hand was trembling. Familiar with such a physical reaction, Ellerdin spoke with a complicated expression.

“I am a half-mermaid and can use healing power. Although my power is currently weak and I can’t completely remove the royal fate placed on Lady Diana, it will be possible if I strengthen it. This is why I came to see you today. Do you know how to strengthen healing power?”

Yurishien didn’t answer and looked around fearfully. She was worried that the greedy god might hear and punish her again.

“That god is currently in a dormant state, so don’t worry.”

“How do you know that…”

“Your… god told me. The real god, I mean. I will help you.”

At Ellerdin’s words, Yurishien lowered her head. She couldn’t easily say yes to what she had done. But she didn’t want to reject the helping hand that might never come again.

Though she wanted to answer, it wasn’t easy to speak out.

Understanding Yurishien’s situation, Ellerdin gently held her hand.

“I know what you’re thinking. But please accept it. This is my desire.”

Yurishien nodded.

“…Thank you.”

A small voice came out. Ellerdin smiled and patted Yurishien’s arm.

***

After laying Diana on the bed, Yurishien patted her chest and spoke.

“As far as I know, there is no way to strengthen power in a short time.”

“Oh…”

“But there is one trick.”

“A trick?”

Ellerdin tilted her head.

“Do you know about the Orb of Power?”

The Orb of Power was literally an orb that condensed power. If a user swallowed this orb, they could exert twice their usual strength, making it an unbelievable item.

From all the mages to mercenaries, many fought wars for years to obtain this orb. However, it wasn’t easy to get because of its main ingredient.

To make the orb, a magic stone was necessary, but magic stones had dwindled over the years and were now one of the rarest items.

The magic stones left on the continent were all managed by the royal family, making it an item that non-royals couldn’t use.

Moreover, to make the Orb of Power, another ingredient besides the magic stone was needed: a converter.

The converter was said to have been made by the first Grand Mage, but few knew its whereabouts.

“There are no more orbs left, but perhaps they can be made at the Duke’s castle.”

“At the Duke’s castle?”

“Yes, when the nobles disappeared together last time, that machine was mixed in. I tried to secure it first, but it got taken away. You can ask the Duke about it.”

Yurishien said. Ellerdin nodded in understanding.

“And with the Duke’s wealth, he could probably purchase one or two magic stones from another continent. Of course, the price for one would be equivalent to several hundred armies.”

Yurishien shrugged lightly.

Honestly, she didn’t think the Duke wouldn’t be able to obtain a magic stone. With Fernan’s military power, he could take a magic stone from the neighboring continent or get it from the current Emperor.

Though, as long as this woman before her was present, it was questionable whether he would do such a thing.

“Oh… that seems doable.”

Ellerdin laughed. Fortunately, she had a way to obtain a magic stone.

It was almost time for the greedy god to awaken from his slumber. Ellerdin hurriedly stood up.

“I’ll come back later. Please wait a little until then.”

***

Fernan stood in front of the castle, looking at the sky. In the distance, the large shape of a dragon began to appear.

The dragon flew towards him at high speed. Ellerdin, who descended from Phil, patted Phil’s snout.

“Thanks for bringing me. You can go rest now.”

Phil squeaked with laughter and flew to the garden. Ellerdin immediately embraced Fernan.

“I’m back.”

“Good work.”

Fernan hugged her tightly.

“Was there anything difficult? Did anyone act rudely towards you?”

Ellerdin burst into laughter at his worried question, despite having been apart for only a short time.

“There was no such thing. There was another matter, but I’ll tell you once it’s resolved.”

***

After an early dinner, Ellerdin went up to her room, sat on the bed, and swung her legs in the air.

‘How should I ask about the magic stone converter…’

No matter how she asked, it seemed it would sound strange. She wanted to resolve it without Fernan knowing.

After pondering for a while, Ellerdin decided to ask someone else.

‘Who would be good? Celine? Mollek?’

Celine might not tell Fernan. Mollek would likely report to Fernan immediately.

‘I’ve decided.’

Ellerdin sprang up from her seat.

When she went down to the first floor, she saw Celine cleaning a room.

“Celine.”

“Madam! When did you come back? I was so surprised to hear you went to the temple! Are you unhurt?”

Celine was startled and rushed over, asking. Her hands checked all over Ellerdin’s body, making her laugh.

“I’m fine. By the way, Celine, I have something to ask…”

Ellerdin looked around and gestured for her to come closer. Celine, curious, brought her ear to Ellerdin’s mouth.

“Is there a magic stone converter here?”

Ellerdin whispered softly.

“Hmm…”

Celine straightened up and pondered for a moment.

“I’m not sure… What does it look like? I’ll look for it.”

Ellerdin was flustered by Celine’s words. She didn’t know what the most important converter looked like. Ellerdin waved her hands, saying no.

“No, it’s okay! I’ll look for it. Oh, and keep it a secret that I asked about this.”

Ellerdin put her index finger to her lips.

“Of course. I hope you find it.”

Celine smiled brightly and waved her hand. It seemed to her like Ellerdin was on a treasure hunt.

Back in the first-floor lobby, Ellerdin paused to think. If Celine didn’t know, it was clear other servants here wouldn’t either.

‘Would Parin know?’

Ellerdin headed to the garden.

“Well… I don’t know where it is since it’s not an item with power… I think it looked like some kind of scale.”

“A scale?”

It wasn’t a common shape. At that moment, Phil and Pearl began to chatter beside her.

“Ellerdin, are you treasure hunting? Can I join?”

“If it’s a scale, there are plenty at the market! Should I get you one?”

Ellerdin calmly reassured them as they were about to get excited and jump around.

“Today, I’m busy, so it won’t be possible, but let’s definitely do it together later. Okay?”

In the end, Ellerdin returned to the castle, having failed to ask Parin.

Is asking Fernan the only way?

While feeling down, she remembered one person she hadn’t asked yet.

‘Nisroch!’

However, she doubted whether he would answer.

To be continued in Volume 3