Chapter 123: Duke Vault [3]

I understood why Alice recommended this relic to me.

It was perfect for inflating my chronic lack of stamina and strength.

It was indeed a symbol of reliability.

“It certainly looks good.”

But something that’s merely reliable doesn’t quite fit my adventurous spirit.

I stared at the glove for a few seconds more.

It did feel right—comfortable, well-balanced, clearly powerful. But the longer I wore it, the more I realized something. It wasn’t me.

With a quiet breath, I slipped the glove off and handed it back to her.

Alice raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting that.

“…It doesn’t suit me,” I said simply.

Her expression didn’t change much at first. Just a slow blink. Then her eyes narrowed ever so slightly, studying me like I was a puzzle she hadn’t figured out yet.

“Oh?” she asked, the edge of a grin tugging at her lips. “Then what are you looking for?”

I held her gaze.

“I don’t know yet,” I said. “But for now… let’s see what else the second level has to offer.”

That made her smile—genuinely this time. Not a teasing smirk or a noblewoman’s polite grin. Just a quiet, satisfied smile, like I’d passed some invisible test.

“Fair enough,” she said, slipping the glove back into the case with practiced care. “The good stuff’s never at the entrance anyway.”

We continued deeper into the vault, our footsteps echoing softly against the stone.

As we moved further into the heart of the second floor, the air grew heavier—not in a suffocating way, but with a palpable sense of history.

Each step felt like peeling back the layers of time. The ambient mana here was stronger, denser. I could feel it brushing against my skin, threading into my limbs like static.

Alice walked a few steps ahead of me, occasionally glancing back to see where my eyes lingered. She didn’t speak, and neither did I. The silence wasn’t awkward. It was focused. Respectful.

Then I saw the first relic that made me stop.

[Relic: Mirror of Echoed Blades]

Type: Accessory (Pendant)

— Stores the last physical attack received and allows the wearer to unleash it once with double force.

— Cooldown: 12 hours.

The mirror was no larger than a silver coin, hanging from a delicate chain. It shimmered faintly, like water rippling beneath moonlight.

As I reached toward it, I saw my reflection twist—mimicking a sword slash I hadn’t made.

“A duelist’s dream,” Alice said, noticing my interest. “But it has a drawback. If you take a hit to store it, you still have to survive that hit.”

I nodded slowly. Tempting, but reckless.

We moved on.

A short distance ahead, resting on a stand shaped like a skeletal hand, was another relic.

[Relic: Lantern of the Last Light]

Type: Tool

— Emits a light that reveals hidden traps, curses, and illusions.

— Burns mana instead of oil.

— Once per week, can dispel a single hex or dark enchantment.

It glowed softly with a warm, golden hue, and the glass shimmered with faint constellations. Useful, yes—but better suited to explorers or curse-breakers. Not me.

We passed a row of weapons sealed within transparent magical barriers. One in particular drew Alice’s attention.

[Relic: Ashbrand Saber]

Type: Weapon (Sword)

— Forged in dragon fire.

— Every third strike ignites with residual flame, searing through mana defenses.

— Weak to water-based elements.

Alice admired it quietly for a moment. I saw it in her eyes—the flicker of old battles, of power remembered. She didn’t say anything, only offered me a glance that said “not yet.”

Farther down the hall, we came to a circular pedestal surrounded by softly glowing runes. Floating above it was something simple.

A quill.

[Relic: Feather of the Pactmaker]

Type: Artifact (Utility)

— Used to write unbreakable magical contracts.

— The written word cannot be broken without dire consequence.

— Binds both sides equally.

“Useful for politicians and manipulators,” I muttered, tilting my head at it.

Alice chuckled. “And dangerous in the wrong hands.”

We rounded the final corner of the chamber and reached a relic that immediately caught my breath.

[Relic: Chrono-Band]

Type: Bracelet

— Allows the wearer to momentarily slow time around them (up to 2 seconds).

— Cooldown: 1 hour.

— Prolonged use may cause temporal dissonance (headaches, nausea, distortion in perception).

It was made of interlocking segments of bronze and crystal, faintly pulsing with rhythmic energy. I didn’t need Alice to explain it. I could feel its power.

I hovered my hand over it, just shy of touching.

“This,” I murmured, “is dangerous.”

“Most valuable things are,” she said quietly, watching me.

I didn’t pick it up. Not yet.

Instead, I stood there, surrounded by a hall of wonders, relics of old empires, gods, and forgotten wars—and I still hadn’t chosen.

To be honest, I hadn’t planned on picking up anything from the second basement level.

What I really wanted was on the third level—but that place was strictly off-limits to outsiders.

….And that level is hidden away, not even Alice herself would be aware of.

Aside from Duke and elders of the Draken Duchy.

I almost went down anyway… but held myself back. Instead, I let curiosity get the better of me and wandered around the second floor, looking at the relics.

But that curiosity has passed.

It’s time to focus on my real objective.

I glanced at Alice, who was still examining a worn-out artifact with mild interest.

“My Lady,” I said, stepping closer, “since we’re already here… why not aim for something bigger?”

She looked up at me, blinking. “Aim for what, exactly?”

Her voice carried a hint of confusion, maybe even concern.

Having raided this relic vault countless times in the game, I knew its layout like the back of my hand. I also knew the truth—that this second floor was mostly a front. A distraction.

The real treasures?

They were hidden deeper.

“The third basement floor,” I said, lowering my voice slightly. “That’s where the real relics are kept.”

Alice’s expression stiffened.

—-

Author Note :

Thank you for the reading a Chapter. I hope you liked it.

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