Chararak!

As if it were alive, the bracelet crawled up to my forearm and then disappeared as if it had seeped in.

Startled, I lifted my sleeve to see a bird-shaped pattern engraved on my skin.

“You’ve been acknowledged.”

Dad spoke calmly, as if he had known this would happen.

But as the person directly involved, I wasn’t sure if I could receive the sacred object’s choice so easily, so my heart was still beating irregularly.

“Is, is this it?”

“Yes. You can learn how to use the sacred object in a few days. Even if you’re not proficient, it should be enough to protect yourself immediately, so I’m relieved.”

I couldn’t believe this was it. Dad spoke once more to reassure me.

“From now on, Elodie is the owner of the sacred object.”

I pointlessly felt my forearm, which didn’t even feel like it had a bracelet, let alone any sensation. As expected, I couldn’t grasp anything.

“Was I acknowledged by the sacred object because I’m Mom’s daughter?”

No matter how much it was a weapon used by Mom, I couldn’t shake off the feeling that it was too much for me.

Mom was said to be Ishtar’s scribe, but I wasn’t even that.

However, Dad firmly stated:

“No. The sacred object doesn’t choose its owner for such reasons.”

“Then is there another criterion?”

“That’s the will of the sacred object, so no one knows. Elodie, you just need to know this one fact.”

Dad looked at me straight in the eye without wavering at all.

“It chose you because you’re Elodie. That’s all.”

It was a firm statement that made all my confusion and anxiety feel like a speck of dust.

No other reason was needed, and there was only one reason.

Because it’s me.

I put aside all the thoughts that had filled my head and smiled brightly.

“Thank you, Dad.”

Thanks to this, I gained confidence.

I also felt like I understood a little about what kind of resolution I should have as the new owner of the sacred object.

***

The Southern Magic Tower on the outskirts of Somnia.

A carriage without a family crest stopped at the back of the magic tower.

“We have arrived, Lady.”

At the coachman’s announcement of arrival, the carriage door finally opened.

“I’ll be back soon, please wait a little.”

“Take your time, my lady.”

A woman got out of the carriage, greeting the coachman kindly.

As her robe hood came off, Belissa’s beautiful face was revealed.

She quietly entered through the back door of the magic tower.

Woong, weeing-.

The magic formulas densely covered her entire body activated, nullifying the defensive magic against intruders.

This was a measure Gabe had taken exclusively for Belissa.

So that she could approach where he was at any time.

Soon, as Belissa was about to knock on the door of the magic tower master’s laboratory, it opened by itself as if it had been waiting.

“Belissa. You’ve come.”

Belissa approached, looking only at one person, without glancing at the messy interior of the laboratory at all.

At the end of that gaze was Gabe Jenade, the master of the Southern Magic Tower.

Belissa greeted him with a smile as bright as sunshine.

“It’s been a while, Lord Gabe. Have you been well?”

“Yes. I trust you’ve been diligently carrying out your mission?”

“Don’t worry. Everything is proceeding according to plan.”

Gabe already knew that Belissa was faithfully carrying out his orders.

He had attached surveillance under the guise of escorts that always followed her, and unbeknownst to Belissa, some of the servants in the Kreundel mansion were spies he had planted.

Reports of Belissa’s every move kept arriving at his desk.

First, she had cultivated a friendship with Dorothea Angellus; second, she had earned Duke Angellus’s trust; and finally, she had successfully formed a contract with the seal stone of lust—the very artifact the Angellus family had been guarding.

Subsequently, she began subtly manipulating Empress Salvatrice, using the power of lust to influence her mind.

Her goal: to create an imperial puppet who would unquestioningly obey her commands.

Step by step, without rushing, Belissa was methodically securing everything he had once sought to control.

‘Better than expected.’

Belissa Kreundel was Gabe Jenade’s masterpiece throughout his life.

When given a single command, she thinks for herself and brings the best results.

She was on a completely different level from the stupid Dorothea Angellus, who couldn’t figure things out no matter how much she was manipulated.

Gabe tossed a pre-prepared list onto the table and said:

“I’ve selected those who will help you in this magic tower battle. I hear that the heir and second son of Perdia will be attending from the Western Magic Tower side. They won’t be easy opponents. Especially the heir.”

“Isn’t Carlot Perdia with his large-scale attack power more threatening?”

“That guy only knows how to attack and tends to be impulsive. The eldest son, who knows how to analyze situations, will be more of an obstacle than the second son. The power of annihilation itself is also quite a troublesome force.”

Tak, tak……

Gabe’s index finger tapped the table irregularly.

Soon, Gabe’s decision was made.

“Yes, we should eliminate Jansi Perdia on this occasion. It would be good if we could also warn that girl, Elodie Perdia or Severes or whatever.”

Jansi Perdia’s skills, abilities, and power were clearly going to be obstacles to his future plans.

It was best to uproot them in advance.

As there was something that was presumed to be Jansi Perdia’s weakness, if they targeted that part, they could easily eliminate him.

Gabe raised the corner of his mouth slyly and said to Belissa:

“If you follow my plan, you should be able to win without much difficulty. I must keep the large rift that has occurred under my authority, no matter what.”

“Yes, Lord Gabe.”

Gabe stared at the seemingly innocent Belissa and whispered:

“As I’ve always said, that brother of yours was only concerned with securing his own position, not even searching for you when you went missing. You know that, right?”

The fact that Leon Kreundel had searched for his missing sister was top-secret information, so almost no one knew about it.

Gabe used this point to break down Belissa’s weak spot.

For a moment, Belissa’s expression hardened coldly, but soon a bright smile bloomed.

She looked at Gabe with an utterly devoted and obedient face.

“Of course. I only have you, Lord Gabe. I will surely repay the kindness you showed in taking me in when I had nowhere to go.”

“Good. I’ll only trust you, …

***

There were only three unmarried ladies among the direct descendants of the four great families.

Dorothea Angellus, who had been called the flower of high society since long ago.

Elodie Severes, who recently transformed from Perdia to Severes.

Belissa Kreundel, who was said to have returned after recent recuperation.

Naturally, the previously dull social scene in Somnia was greatly stirred by the news that a large-scale monster subjugation battle involving Elodie and Belissa would be held.

The fact that the cause of the subjugation battle was the magic tower competition was also a factor that piqued their interest.

This was because rumors of discord between the two magic tower masters had been circulating due to the recent incident of the Southern Magic Tower plagiarizing the Western Magic Tower’s magic tools.

Articles about the magic tower competition poured out daily, and everyone was rushing to secure a seat in the spectator stands.

Not only nobles but also wealthy merchants participated in the spectator war, making the competition even fiercer.

“I’d like to watch even if it costs tens of thousands of larits!”

“Stop it, they say the spectator seats are already full.”

When the situation became such that even those with money couldn’t watch, a helping hand was extended.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, transmission magic tools, which Elodie called screens, were installed in various squares throughout Somnia.

They were the same as the transmission magic tools installed in the spectator stands.

Someone who smelled money quickly recognized the demand and took action.

People could now enter the rented squares and watch the subjugation battle by paying a small amount of larits.

[Tower Master. All the prepared quantities have been sold out!]

At the same time, Isis burst into laughter upon hearing about the packed situation in the squares.

“Good. It’s about to start, so make sure to control it well to prevent accidents.”

[Yes, understood.]

It was Elodie who had suggested installing transmission magic tools in the squares after seeing the articles and reactions pouring in for days.

Following her advice, Isis was able to reap considerable profits this time as well.

“She’s really extraordinary when it comes to these things. Arcelia wasn’t this money-oriented.”

Well, whatever.

Isis also liked money just the same.

***

The venue for the large-scale monster subjugation battle was an old castle that had long been overrun by monsters.

Two castles, separated by some distance, faced each other.

Monsters could be seen wandering around inside and outside.

It was also a place with a ridiculous story passed down about a lord in the past who had fairly divided vacation homes between two women he loved.

Regardless of the intertwined story, the identical twin-like castles made it an ideal place to hold this magic tower competition.

The intention of the prime minister who decided on this location for the subjugation battle was clear.

The purpose would be to subjugate the monsters and rebuild.

Before the subjugation battle began, I tried to silence Greed in advance.

‘Greed. Today is an important day, so stay quiet as much as possible. Understood?’

[Empty mouth?]

‘…What do you want?’

[Give me a week’s worth of snacks.]

‘You’re not Greed, you’re Gluttony.’

[I’m a fox, gluttony is for pigs!]

‘Alright. I’ll give it to you.’

Anyway, now that I’ve silenced Greed with snacks, the preparations were perfect.

The viewing area was in the main castle between the two castles that had already been cleared.

As the magic tower competition was still in preparation, even the participants were in the spectator stands.

As I was checking if my reliable weapon was still there by lifting my sleeve, someone approached me.

“Please be careful.”

It was Adenmir, who had been my mentor for the past few days.

Although he couldn’t attend the magic tower competition due to the unwritten rule that royalty could not intervene in disputes between magic towers, he had been of great help.

“Don’t worry. I now have a secret weapon, don’t I?”

“Don’t be overconfident. Even sacred objects will eventually drain your energy, so you can’t use them indefinitely.”

Is it starting? The nagging of my temporary mentor…?

As I pouted, feeling my ears already getting hot, Adenmir avoided my eyes.

‘What’s this?’

Before I could wonder, he handed me something.

“What is it?”

“It’s a return gift for the token I received earlier.”

“Token? Ah, that ribbon?”

I had just given that as a joke… It didn’t have any deep meaning.

He would have thrown it away, of course…

In contrast, the item Adenmir gave me was a pair of wrist guards that looked expensive at a glance.

“I wish you good luck.”

“I’ll accept it gratefully.”

Right. We’re friends now, so I can naturally accept this kind of goodwill.

As I immediately put on Adenmir’s gift, my wrists felt lighter as if they were enchanted.

“Are these wrist guards enchanted?”

“This and that. I heard they’ve put on lightweight magic and preservation magic and such.”

It’s incredibly expensive!

[Urk. …This can’t be helped.]

‘…Agreed.’

Although Greed broke the promise to stay quiet, I decided to let it slide as it was beyond our control.

Adenmir, who had been silently watching me put on the protective gear, smiled faintly and said:

“Of course, you have reliable guard dogs, so nothing should go wrong.”

“Ahaha. I hope you’re not referring to my brother and younger brother as those guard dogs…?”

“Of course I am.”

It was fortunate that we were quite far from the two of them. They shouldn’t be able to hear at this distance.

As I looked towards where the two were, I furrowed my brow.

‘…Brother Jansi?’

Jansi’s expression didn’t look good.

Carlot, who was right next to him, didn’t seem to notice, but I could tell.

“Well then, I’ll be going now!”

After saying goodbye to Adenmir, I hurriedly ran to Jansi and examined his complexion.

“Brother. Are you alright?”