Liria checked to make sure no one was around, then hid in the bushes.

Faaah!

As soon as she summoned the key and magic book, both the book and the Key of Power began to emit light.

She quickly opened it and found this written:

[The target’s heart is firmly locked.

When the target’s heart opens, the possibility of discovering a new key will arise.]

Liria tilted her head.

“What does all this mean?”

While the prospect of finding a key was welcome, she couldn’t be entirely happy in the current situation.

The only person Liria had met until just now was her father, Classid.

Classid’s heart is firmly locked…

Why?

I really don’t understand the reason.

Had something really happened on the battlefield during the magical beast subjugation?

“Or could there be some other reason I don’t know about? Sigh, seeing how I can’t even guess, I really don’t know much about Father.”

Liria nibbled on her lip.

By the way, the content that appeared in the book earlier bothered her.

When the heart opens, it’s not that a new key will be discovered, but that the possibility arises?

So it’s not even certain.

It seemed the difficulty had increased compared to when she found the Healing Key.

“Then is the next key related to people’s hearts?”

Kiki responded with a “beep” to Liria’s words as her eyes sparkled with curiosity about what kind of key it might be.

‘My relationship with Father is at its worst right now… How can I get his heart to open?’

Feeling at a loss, Liria dismissed the key’s summoning and trudged into the main hall.

“I need more information for now.”

As she was crossing the cloud bridge, rolling her lime-green eyes…

Someone appeared behind Liria and blocked her path.

“Well, who do we have here? Isn’t it my cute little niece?”

A gentle tone that seemed to hide thorns.

The intense rose scent was almost numbing to the nose.

It was Aunt Belita, one of the people she didn’t want to meet.

***

Meanwhile, the servants of the Duke’s castle were busily running around to hurriedly spread the news that Classid had awakened.

One person was rushing like the wind to the conference hall to be the first to inform the Duke of this fact.

Emmett Okims took a deep breath when he finally stood in front of the massive door.

“Whoever enters during a meeting should be prepared to submit their resignation.”

The Duke had repeatedly uttered such words.

‘It wouldn’t be so bad to quit on this occasion.’

Emmett tapped the documents he was holding to his chest, then flung the conference hall door wide open.

Bang!

At the noisily opened door, the elder vassals, including Duke Roberg, looked at Emmett as if he were insane.

“…What is the meaning of this! I’ve repeatedly said not to disturb us!”

As the Duke burst out in anger, Emmett strode forward and spoke,

Hesitating whether to pull out the documents he was holding in his chest.

“I apologize for the interruption, Your Grace, but Master Classid… has finally awakened from his sickbed.”

“…!”

The Duke, who suddenly stood up, announced.

“Guide me there at once! The meeting is adjourned.”

Leaving the murmuring vassals behind, the Duke rushed out of the conference hall with Emmett.

***

“Classid―! You fool! You couldn’t defeat one measly magical beast and end up like this?”

Vladimir, who entered with a terrifying momentum like an approaching typhoon, glared at his son and spat out harsh words.

In contrast, Classid simply took in his father’s face in silence.

“……”

“Having a hole in your mana heart doesn’t mean you’ll die tomorrow. Don’t even think about dying!”

“…You haven’t changed, Father.”

To be so expressionless, as if nothing had happened.

Not knowing how someone’s heart had been burning black with worry all this time.

Vladimir approached without hesitation and embraced his son tightly.

“Welcome back.”

“…Yes.”

“I’m still looking for a way to cure your illness.”

“You don’t… have to.”

“What did you say?”

“……”

“Are you protesting that you want to go before your father? You ungrateful son!”

Vladimir sputtered and poured out a barrage of curses.

“You already know it’s a futile effort.”

At Classid’s words, the old Duke’s face darkened considerably.

“Yes. While you were collapsed, I ran everywhere trying to save you.”

“……”

“But are you planning to die and leave that little one behind?”

“…I’ll send Liria to her mother.”

“What?”

When Vladimir asked in disbelief, Classid looked up at him with desolate, emotionless eyes.

“That would be better than staying beside a father who will soon die.”

“Do you really think that’s what’s best for the child?”

“……”

Classid couldn’t continue his response.

“Think carefully. That child possesses a strength beyond what you’d expect from a typical six-year-old.”

“Did you perhaps treat my daughter harshly while I was gone?”

Vladimir silently turned around.

Then, stopping at the door, he commanded.

“Ha! For someone who cares so much about his child… Fine. Looking at your condition, a week’s recovery should be sufficient. Return to your duties immediately after a week.”

“That’s my plan.”

Having heard Classid’s answer, Vladimir left the sick room with quick steps.

***

“…Hello, Aunt Belita.”

It would be best to hide her hostility for now.

Liria greeted politely, extremely tense but outwardly pretending to be calm.

She stroked her long hair once and approached haughtily one step closer.

“I heard Classid has awakened. Would you guide me there while we go together?”

Liria had not the slightest intention of creating such a picture of getting along well with Belita and heading there together.

“Ah! I’m already on my way back. I just saw Grandfather going to the sick room.”

Liria spoke clearly with the face of an innocent child.

Then Belita, who had been bending her waist for a while, pressed down on Liria’s small shoulders and moved her lips.

“Such bad manners… Why? Do you dislike going with me that much?”

Twisted lips and a gaze of contempt and dismissal.

What is this?

It certainly wasn’t a sincere invitation to go together; there was definitely a sense of some purpose behind it.

Just then, Head Maid Anna and other servants were passing by.

“…Sniff, A-Aunt. Are you angry? How about tomorrow? Father said he wanted to rest quietly today.”

Liria deliberately trembled with exaggerated fear and spoke.

Then it felt like more gazes were gathering on this place.

Belita, seeming to be conscious of the surroundings, lowered her voice that had risen.

“Is that so? Strange. Weren’t you two especially close?”

“……”

To notice that, she really has good instincts at times like this.

“Yes, of course.”

As if waiting for the head maid and servants to pass by, Belita smiled and said.

“Liria, I heard you manifested the power of the metal attribute this time. Why don’t you show it to me too? Hmm?”

Belita leaned in closer, bringing her face near.

At that moment, bright red petals dropped from Belita’s hand.

Her manifested attribute was the ability to control roses, the queen of flowers among plants.

‘Surely she wouldn’t try to ensnare me with magic here?’