Abraham was so startled for a moment that he nearly dropped his teacup.

Was that really something you could say with such a nonchalant face?

It was a trace of the ancient language that no one in the Sinesse Marquess family had been able to decipher in 500 years.

“You said you were curious, didn’t you?”

“...You’re saying you can read the ancient language?”

“When I was an apprentice, I picked it up by watching the high-ranking priests read it over their shoulders, so I kind of know it.”

Rosie blinked as she spoke.

“I took a look at it yesterday, and the contents weren’t all that special, but if you’re curious, you should know...”

Just as Abraham opened his mouth in shock, Rosie continued with a very serious expression.

“Honestly, I was a little worried it might say something like, ‘The Sinesse family is a bunch of dumb fools. Wouldn’t it be funny if their descendants proudly displayed this without knowing a thing?’ But it wasn’t anything like that.”

“...What?”

“If it were me, I might’ve pulled a prank like that, but I guess the High Priest from 500 years ago wasn’t that kind of person. Thankfully, it’s something I can read out loud without much trouble.”

Behind Abraham, the butler finally collapsed and covered his mouth, stifling a laugh.

* * *

Everything I said to Abraham was completely sincere.

In my opinion, he was a bit stiff, but still a pretty good person. I didn’t want to act shady toward someone like that.

Besides, the mere fact that the Sinesse Marquess family had distanced itself from the Temple since his grandfather’s time made me like them.

‘If it were a matter of life and death or something truly important, of course I would’ve lied—but since it’s not, why act sketchy?’

I hadn’t committed any crimes. One person in my life was more than enough to lie to about who I really was—Linna.

“...In that case, I’ll ask you.”

Abraham said in a low voice.

“Personally, I’m very curious, and since this is the family’s heirloom, it’s frustrating not knowing what it says.”

“Then shall we go take a look first? I only skimmed it last night, so I don’t remember it all by heart...”

And so, I headed toward the lobby of the marquess’ residence with him.

Abraham strode ahead in long, brisk steps. I trotted after him with some effort, but it was hard to close the distance.

Either way, we arrived at the marquess’ lobby, where the large tapestry I saw last night still radiated its presence.

“It’s not anything amazing... It’s just a tapestry about a Sacred Relic. It has a description of the Sacred Relic written on it.”

Reading the ancient language wasn’t particularly difficult for me.

Reading this much in exchange for a night’s stay was more than worth it.

Besides, the clothes they gave me were totally to my taste.

They didn’t seem overly fancy or expensive, but the material was luxurious and the design elegant.

“The Sacred Relics transcend time and space, and activating the Relic of Time requires more divine power than the Relic of Strength.”

I began reading aloud slowly, pointing to the ancient language with my finger.

Abraham settled down quite a distance behind me and started furiously scribbling notes with a tense look.

“No matter how earnestly you wish upon the Relic of Time, if you infuse it with insufficient divine power, the caster may lose their life instead.”

Oh, I didn’t know that.

So in my previous life, I was just cluelessly making a wish. I almost died, huh.

“The Relic of Time has accumulated countless wishes made across time and space by many people.”

I slowed down for Abraham’s sake, since he was scribbling away like mad.

“Even if sufficient divine power is provided, if there’s a duplicate wish among those already stored, the Relic of Time may grant that wish instead. Caution is advised. Wow, what a scammer... Sorry, that last bit was just my own comment. Oh, and this too, obviously.”

Abraham furrowed his brow irritably and scratched out the part that said “what a scammer.”

Anyway, it meant that even though many people had risked their lives to try using the Relic of Time to go back, there were many times when it didn’t grant their wish because it was just added to the pile.

‘That is kind of weird.’

As someone who had actually used the Relic of Time, I tilted my head inwardly.

‘Well, at the time Yuta had taken my divine power, so I probably didn’t have much left... and my wish was probably really common and already piled up.’

How many people over the years must’ve wished, “Please let me go back so I can protect the person I love,” to the Relic of Time?

‘Did I just get lucky that mine was granted? Or was it just because «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» I looked pitiful and cute?’

Either way, there was no way to know.

I continued speaking without letting any of that confusion show.

“Relics of Strength require less divine power than Relics of Time. However, obtaining power always comes with a price.”

I furrowed my brows slightly as I continued reading.

“It may not be as severe as ‘Divine Beast Awakening,’ which demands the master’s life, but one must be prepared for tremendous pain and physical transformation.”

Divine Beast Awakening?

That was the phrase written on the map left by the Duke of Dyfenril.

I had read it aloud to Zahid nine years ago, so of course I remembered it.

“Here, the Divine Beast and its master become one, and draw out the maximum power. However, one must be prepared to face a cost great enough to recognize it on their own.”

So the cost referred to was the master’s life?

I blinked in a daze.

I didn’t know where or how such a thing could happen, but I did know that Zahid becoming one with Fire—or anything like that—absolutely could not be allowed.

‘I have to tell him no matter what when I see him in Arhad.’

I thought with a grim expression.

Zahid always said, “If I keep studying this map, I might find another way to defeat the High Priest.”

‘Even if it means gaining enough power to defeat the High Priest... if the price is your life, don’t even consider it.’

I made that vow silently, then gave a small smile toward Abraham in the distance.

“That’s the end of the content. It’s just... well, it fits a tapestry meant to represent a Sacred Relic.”

“...Is that so.”

“Yes. Unfortunately, there’s nothing like the location of a hidden treasure or a heartfelt thank-you... no such thing.”

I consoled Abraham with a regretful look.

“If they were really grateful for hiding them, you’d expect at least that much... but they just left behind an object.”

That’s when it happened.

“...Ro—no, Heidi?”

Ray approached with a face that clearly said he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

Just yesterday, Ray had told me, “Let’s keep a low profile and leave without drawing the Marquess’ attention.” So it made sense he’d be startled to see me with Abraham.

“You can call me Rosie.”

I smiled sheepishly and said.

“Sorry, Ray. I just... felt too guilty, so I told the Marquess the truth.”

“...What?”

“Mm, I appreciated your advice—it was full of determination not to take a loss—but since it’s a family matter, I figured my decision mattered more.”

Ray stared at me for a moment, then let out a soft sigh.

“...I see.”

Then he gave a resigned little smile.

“Well, if it’s you, I guess that makes sense.”

“Yeah... unless there’s some huge reason not to, I just want to be honest about what I’ve done. I really am sorry for not taking your advice.”

That felt like enough of an explanation. Ray and I understood each other well.

“Got it.”

Ray nodded slowly.

“If anything, I’m the one who should apologize—for giving you that advice when I should’ve known better.”

Abraham remained silent, glancing between Ray and me.

I hadn’t expected Ray to be up this early, but in any case, it was something that needed to be said.

“I figured you probably weren’t thrilled about having me here for the night, so I did a little something in return.”

I gave a sheepish smile, roughly summarizing the situation.

“So... I think it’s time I stop overstaying and head out early. Honestly, I don’t think I have the right to stay—”

Just as I was speaking slowly—

“Ahem! Ahem!”

Abraham suddenly cleared his throat loudly, cutting in from a distance.

Ray and I looked at him in surprise.

He turned to Ray with his usual rigid expression.