Chapter 48. The Wand

The museum was full of fascinating artifacts.

I wanted to look around comfortably and ask questions freely about things I didn’t know, but I couldn’t bring myself to do so.

I was touring the museum with Mihail on my left and Johann on my right, and the atmosphere was tense. Especially from the right side, it felt like cold air was flowing.

“Please cheer up, Your Majesty.”

I attempted to make peace.

“I don’t understand what you’re talking about since I wasn’t in a bad mood to begin with.”

Johann replied with a cold face.

Well. Is that how it’s going to be?

At any other time, I might not have noticed, but when his expression hardened at just one word from me, anyone who wasn’t a fool would understand. Johann was upset with me right now.

“If you really want a… nickname, then go ahead.”

“…Forget it.”

Johann refused, furrowing his brow.

What more could I do here?

As I fidgeted, not knowing what to do, Mihail’s voice came from the left. He spoke softly.

“There are many mysterious things in the East.”

“Really?”

“Yes. For example.”

Saying that, Mihail pointed to one of the artifacts on display.

It was a wand.

At a glance, it looked precious, as if it had once been used by a great figure, with the weight of many years upon it. A large red gem was embedded in the head, and the long body was overall white with gold inlays here and there.

“Was this used by holy knights in ancient times?”

I asked, recalling how Mihail and other holy knights wear white uniforms with gold embroidery. Just like what Mihail was wearing now.

But Mihail shook his head.

“No.”

“It’s said to have been used by an ancient purifier.”

Johann, who had been sulking, interjected.

“Oh. A purifier?”

As a purifier myself, I felt my chest swell grandly. At the same time, a question arose.

“But why do I use my bare hands…”

Give me a wand too.

I want to wield something cool like that and be active too.

Too embarrassed to say it directly, I trailed off subtly, but Johann understood perfectly. He replied in an indifferent tone.

“Other purifiers are all active with bare hands too.”

“Why? Have we all regressed compared to ancient times?”

“Probably.”

I was taken aback when Johann nodded readily to what I had said casually.

Oh, so you mean kids these days aren’t as good as before?

“Why?”

I felt like a five-year-old child. I kept bombarding them with ‘why, why’ questions.

At that moment, ignoring the person who was asking, Mihail opened his mouth.

“There were many mysterious things in ancient times.”

“Like dragons and unicorns, for instance.”

Johann cut in, as if he couldn’t lose. Then Mihail interrupted again.

“It’s said that magic books and magical tools were more powerful than those made now. More than mere scrolls, that is.”

“That’s because we can’t even get those nowadays.”

“There’s nothing Sahar doesn’t have.”

“Is that so? No matter how much of a trading city this is, the most precious things naturally flow into Elmon.”

“Do you really think so?”

“Whoa, whoa.”

I stepped in to mediate.

The argument between the two men was getting increasingly rough.

“Let’s talk about the wand. Why are we drifting to other topics?”

As I said this, I pointed with my index finger at the white wand displayed in the glass case.

“What’s its function? Does it amplify a purifier’s purification ability or something? Wouldn’t it be good if I used it then?”

Oh no.

I spoke hastily, and my true feelings came out.

If that thing still works, can’t I use it?

I looked at the two men with a small hope sprouting, but… it was useless.

They were of one mind and heart now, when just moments ago they couldn’t wait to tear each other apart.

“That’s not possible.”

“It’s not possible.”

“……”

How can they not even think for a second?

I mean, I was considered one of the best purifiers in history before Aveline appeared, wasn’t I? There’s no need to be this stingy.

But with the following words from the two, I came to understand them.

“A considerable number of artifacts were lost in undead attacks. We need to protect what remains well.”

“That’s right. And Miss Sera, didn’t I teach you spells instead of a wand?”

Ugh.

I used to hear it without any issue before, but now I became conscious of Johann every time Mihail called me ‘Sera’.

Really, why is this happening?

Maybe it’s because Mihail has called me ‘Miss Sera’ from the beginning, so it doesn’t bother me, but when Johann called me ‘Sera’, it felt extremely embarrassing and strange.

I don’t know why I’m like this either.

It’s not like I’m deliberately discriminating.

Glancing over, I saw that Johann’s expression, which had seemed to soften a bit with the artifact talk, had hardened again.

But without time to worry about his mood, Mihail continued speaking.

“Moreover, the function of that wand is not certain.”

“What? But you said a purifier used it.”

“That’s according to the stories passed down.”

Mihail looked around carefully.

“But detailed information is unknown because records have been lost.”

As he said this, his teal eyes seemed to be tinged with a sad light.

Ah.

I felt like I somehow understood.

This person had lost something he loved. He had loved the things that made up this city, this empire, this world, but they were taken away.

He was someone who cherished the history and records that humans had lived through.

Was it because he was God’s representative?

Is that why he loved the world God created?

But why does he act so crazy towards me? I’m also a creature created by God.

“Let’s look around other places.”

At that moment, Mihail looked at me and gently curved his eyes. Then he looked at Johann.

“Miss Sera.”

“……”

Why is he saying my name while looking at him?

I was dumbfounded, but I held back from saying anything and just let out a deep sigh.

It seemed there were too many people in the world that Mihail didn’t love.

* * *

Several days passed.

After visiting the museum, perhaps because Johann was here, I had been taking a break from purification training for several days.

Is this really okay?

The sudden leisure time felt extremely awkward.

I must have unknowingly developed a slave mentality.

I quietly reflected on the events of the past few days while dipping my feet in the Nilda River that flowed into the castle’s backyard.

Johann moved very systematically, unlike someone who had been suddenly summoned. As if this visit had been part of his plan all along.

The museum was just the beginning.

He looked around various parts of Sahar’s streets, examined the city walls, and visited various administrative agencies. And Mihail accompanied him on all these schedules.

The two were thorough when it came to work.

Mihail occasionally smirked, but he reported the situation in Sahar to Johann in detail.

The three pillars supporting the Granz Empire.

Perhaps people refer to them as the three heroes.

Splash, splash.

I kicked at the river water that reached up to my calves.

“Ah, I’m bored.”

I summoned him, but why do they keep sticking together?

Even now, they’ve gone somewhere without a trace.

Should I find a hobby?

I need to get used to spending time alone. Because I’ll spend a comfortable retirement alone when I retire.

“Alone…”

That word lingered awkwardly in my mouth.

It was strange.

Before living as Seraphina, when I was Yoon Jia, I was always alone.

I was alone even when I was among people.

I was alone even when I shared a room with seventeen children in the orphanage, and I was alone even when I cleaned the classroom to the applause of my classmates at school. I was alone when I watched busy kids preparing for college entrance exams, and I was alone when I worked as a janitor among older people, experiencing social life.

I had clearly lived diligently among people…

Looking back, no one remained by my side.

The times when I could be myself, be honest…

Were truly only when I was alone.

So I should welcome this time.

Time alone.

“……”

Caught in an indescribable feeling, I quietly gazed at the surface of the Nilda River. The intense desert sun pours down incessantly on the flowing water scales.

It sparkles and shines.

It’s beautiful.

Wanting to grasp a handful of that jewel-like light, I bent down and tried to grasp the intangible river water. I surely held the sparkling thing in my hand, but when I opened it, there was nothing.

I stared blankly at my wet palm and whispered softly.

“With pure light.”

Then a soft light rose from my palm.

The purification ability controlled by the spell slowly spreads to the surroundings. It was the most static method of purifying the surroundings among those Mihail had taught me.

“It’s beautiful.”

I was startled by the voice that came from behind me at that moment.

When I turned my head, Mihail was leaning diagonally against the arched entrance, having been there for who knows how long.

“Sir Andantino.”

When I called his name, Mihail drew a smooth smile on his lips.

His platinum blonde hair, sparkling like the water scales of the Nilda River, swayed in the wind that blew from somewhere. Just like the light on the water surface I had tried to grasp earlier.

I thought he was beautiful.