Chapter 48
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Treasure Vault
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Count. Were here.
Ahem
In the afternoon, just as promised yesterday, Albert and Vanessa visited the mansion.
Vanessa looked around the drawing room here and there, letting out exclamations of admiration nonstop.
Wow, just like the rumors said, the Counts family is filthy rich. The house is huge, and every single thing looks like it was handcrafted by artisans. You can barely find any mass-produced stuff!
H-Have some tea
Oh? Whos this cute little miss?
Eek?!
Wendy, who had been pouring the tea, nearly dropped the teapot.
Shes the Counts exclusive maid
She looks awfully young for that Must be pretty capable.
I-Its not exactly
Wendy bowed her head shyly. Vanessa smirked at the sight. She took a sip of the tea, and her eyes suddenly widened.
Whoa?!
W-Why? Is something wrong?!
This tea is freaking delicious! What the hell is this tea?
Um I believe its tea grown in Oranju
Oranju? So this is imported from abroad?
Vanessa asked me with a baffled look.
Count, the countrys in lockdown, so howd you get something like this? Smuggled it in?
The Ruelverta family has exclusive trading rights with foreign countries. That tea was legally imported through proper channels.
Good lord
Albert clicked his tongue, displeased with Vanessas behavior.
Tsk tsk Dont act so immature. Youre embarrassing yourself, and youre the one wholl inherit the workshop someday
Grandpa, do all nobles live like this?
Of course not The Ruelverta family is special. Thats why they have the wealth to pull off all those absurd stunts
Absurd stunts?
Vanessa looked puzzled, but Albert ignored her and asked me.
So Mind telling me why you summoned me to this unpleasant place? I only came yesterday to save Vanessa, but Id like to head back right now if possible.
The words sounded insulting, but they didnt bother me.
To him, the Ruelverta family was no different from his own dark history.
Facing ones dark history was bound to be uncomfortable.
Its just like I explained last time. I called you here to give you a chance at atonement, Albert.
Hah Atonement, you say? Sorry, but I personally destroyed every last bit of the research data from back then. And Ive quit researching incantations.
Albert added with a bitter expression.
Of course, I dont think that erases what I did So Im puzzled. Count, what can I even do? What exactly do you expect me to do to atone?
Hearing Alberts sigh put my mind at ease.
Because I knew he fully understood the weight of his actions.
Because he was someone who never took his sins lightly.
The setting of being a first-rate magic artisan who invented countless magic tools wasnt an exaggeration.
He had committed a grave sin, but he was a true artisan with convictions.
Character Profile.
Name: Albert Grobl
Age: 72
Occupation: Magic Artisan
Traits: Researcher, Artisan Spirit
The artisan lost to history, Albert Grobl, was a character too valuable to lose.
Whether I could persuade him from here on out depended entirely on me.
I slipped on the coat hanging beside me and said.
Youll find out when you see it. Follow me.
I stood in front of the central entrance hall of the Ruelverta mansion.
A high vaulted ceiling stretched overhead, with stairs leading up to the upper floors spreading out grandly before my eyes.
Luxurious ornaments and paintings adorned every spot, and black lion statues exuded majesty as if they might come alive at any moment.
It was on par with an art gallery.
Amazing
Every piece could be called a treasure
Not just Vanessaeven Albert couldnt hold back his admiration.
As artisans themselves, they could appraise the value of ordinary items at a glance.
I spoke up.
These things here dont even qualify as treasures.
Even these arent treasures?
Thats right.
I walked past Vanessa to stand before the seated black lion statue.
I stroked the head of the fellow standing proudly with its head held high.
The Ruelverta familys treasures are all hidden away in a safe place.
My gaze turned to the lion in the center.
The only one not sitting, standing on all fours while drawing the gazes of the surrounding lions, tail raised high as if stalking prey, watching us.
I pointed to that lion and said.
Wendy.
Y-Yes?
Lower that lions tail.
T-The tail?
Yeah.
Wendy approached the black lion statue at my command.
She hesitated, reached out toward the tail, and asked me.
I-Is it really okay to touch it? What if I break it by accident?
Even if you kicked it with your foot, it wouldnt break. Dont worry.
O-Okay
Wendy pushed the lions tail.
Creak
But lacking strength, the tail didnt budge.
Eek
She looked at me as if asking for help.
I couldnt help her, though.
Itd ruin the vibe
I could at least give her some advice.
Wendy. Use what you learned in your lessons.
She must have learned something from Myohail or Blanche.
At my words, it seemed Wendy had an idea.
Yes! Ill give it a try!
Wendy took a deep breath after her energetic reply.
Using the mana in her body as fuel.
She converted the overflowing mana directly into pushing force.
And just like that, the lions tail bent downward.
Rumble rumble rumble.
A faint tremor echoed through the ground.
As if a hidden secret space was revealing itself.
The stone floor slid smoothly aside, forming stairs leading underground.
Oh What an intriguing mechanism?
Vanessa muttered in surprise.
Albert asked me casually.
This place?
Its the Ruelverta familys treasure vault. First time showing it to an outsider.
In truth, Id only learned about it recently myself.
During the trial before, when Tristans memories flowed into me, recollections of the treasure vault in the mansions basement had entered my mind too.
Albert asked back.
Treasure vault?
Yeah. Everything worthy of being called treasure is down there.
Even as I said it, I felt a twinge of anticipation myself.
All the rare treasures accumulated by the Ruelverta family over generations were hidden here.
In other words, it was filled with items made by ancient artisans.
Vanessa and even Albert couldnt hide their expectant expressions.
Then lets head down.
As I moved to lead the way, Vanessa paused.
Huh?
A long-whiskered cat had appeared out of nowhere, clinging to her leg.
Whats this, Count? You keep cats too?
Eep! Th-Thats
Before Wendy could speak, Vanessa scooped up Myohail.
Aww, youre so cute. Wanna come with big sis?
Meow
Myohail rubbed his face against Vanessas cheek.
Hahaha! That tickles!
Vanessa laughed like a girl her age, all cute and bubbly.
I scowled at the heartwarming scene.
Count, whats this little guys name?
Just a stray. Its dirtyput it down now.
Eh? Its way too clean for a stray
Hiss! Myohail threatened me.
This old fart
Hed practically moved into the mansion lately; he was more like a raccoon dog than a cat.
Count, mind if this one comes down with us? Youll behave and stay quiet like big sis says, right?
Meow!
Do whatever you want.
I let out a sigh.