Chapter 043. Stone of Truth (5)

"By the way."

"Yes."

"If you're a mage, don't you have a deep understanding of artifacts from the Age of Magic or the Ancient Era?"

"Well, that would be the case."

Gunther nodded at Veris's voice, which somewhat lightened the heavy atmosphere.

"Then we should investigate together."

Gunther's face showed confusion at Veris's declaration.

"Investigate, you say?"

"The place we saw in the dungeon we entered before. I feel like there's something more there."

Only after the explanation did Gunther understand why Veris had brought it up.

The city they encountered while cleaning the academy's underground dungeon in the past. Veris had returned with only the ring.

Naturally, there was no need for Veris to act that way. He had decided to return out of concern that his companions might get hurt.

So, it seemed Veris was thinking of going back there.

"Are you saying…?"

"Yeah. This time, we need to minimize the number of people."

That clearly meant he wouldn't be taking Gunther, Arwen, or even Cecilia with him. Gunther couldn't help but wear a sad expression.

"Still, how can I let you go alone, brother…?"

"Just."

"Excuse me?"

"Honestly, I think you'd be a hindrance."

Perhaps influenced by Cecilia, Veris's overly blunt response made Gunther sulk.

A hindrance, a hindrance. Of course, Gunther knew very well that in front of Veris, the genius swordsman of the Empire, he was merely cute. But still, it felt like being abandoned by someone he had vowed to serve for life.

In the end, seeing Gunther's despairing gaze, Veris let out a small sigh.

"If I find something good, I'll give it to you."

"Really?"

"You were really disappointed last time. So if I get a weapon like a sword, I'll give it to you."

"I believed in you! Brother!"

Veris kicked Gunther, who came charging at him with open arms, away with his foot, letting out a hollow laugh.

Indeed, those who wield swords are just as strange as mages.

"By the way, my sister said she wanted to meet you."

"Me?"

Dusting off his behind, Gunther nodded.

"Anyway, you don't seem to have any intention of pushing her away or pulling her closer, do you?"

"That's true."

"Then how about meeting her first?"

"Hmm."

Veris stroked his chin.

Beatrice von Haruen. He had no particular memories or connections with her, so what could be the reason for wanting to meet?

Moreover, considering the character of the petty dean, it was clear that he hadn't leaked any information about the 'Stone of Truth.'

"Is it just curiosity?"

Veris couldn't help but frown at the sudden suggestion from his fiancée.

Of course, under normal circumstances, there would be no reason to refuse a meeting, but given the current situation, she was a relic transporter sent from the Magic Tower.

* * *

"So, that person appeared and shouted at that time!"

"What do you mean?"

"Power… overwhelming? Something like that. My heart was really racing." What do girls of this age talk about when they gather?

Of course, it was highly likely that the conversation would revolve around studies or family. But the first thing that naturally popped up was, of course, matters related to romance.

Beatrice had an unexpectedly excited expression on her face.

She was listening to how Veris and the Saintess Cecilia had met in the past, and indeed, the man who had a peculiar atmosphere from the first impression had an extraordinary power from the start.

"Since then… I've been waiting all this time. I believe meeting him again here is fate."

Cecilia, blushing, raised her hands to her cheeks. Arwen was sending her a look full of dissatisfaction, and Beatrice could only stare at her with her mouth slightly agape.

'She's… different from me.'

To be fair, Beatrice had no particular memories with Veris, unlike Arwen, who had shared her experiences, or Cecilia, who had just shared her story.

But listening to these girls' tales… it truly felt like a heroic story that a young girl could fall in love with.

Arwen said he saved her from a wicked slave trader.

Cecilia said he saved her from a nefarious Demon Cult.

Then what about her?

…Sadly, Beatrice had no such connection. She was merely used as a political tool to connect the families, the marquis and the count, to marry their children.

It was nice to have come to a café with two girls she met by chance, but hearing such stories made her heart uneasy.

"Beatrice, don't you have someone you like?"

"...I…"

Whether Cecilia knew Beatrice's feelings or not, her innocent question made Beatrice trail off.

The man they had just been talking about was her fiancé. Wasn't there something awkward about saying that?

Thus, she ultimately had to decide. Of course, when she was younger, she had sleepless nights over the fact that she would meet her fiancé. But now, it didn't matter whether she had feelings or not.

"I 'did' have someone."

"Such…."

Cecilia and Arwen, who had somewhat grasped the meaning of Beatrice's words, sent her pitying glances.

She felt a pang of conscience. But Beatrice thought that being completely honest about everything might actually hurt these two girls.

However, Beatrice's heart was soon faced with a significant twist.

The cause was the lovely elf named Arwen, who kept turning her head toward her shoulder during the conversation.

"…Wind, is it true?"

There was clearly nothing on Arwen's shoulder. So why was that girl showing such a demeanor?

'Spirit user?'

Beatrice eventually came to a conclusion. It was highly likely that she was someone who had contracted with a spirit, a being that was not allowed to be seen by anyone except for a select few.

Now that she thought about it, it was quite peculiar. She had learned in the past that spirits had severed ties with elves because they were disillusioned by their contradictory appearances, so was that book wrong?

"Lady Beatrice."

"...Yes?"

As Arwen turned to look directly at her after having a conversation with something that existed in the air, Cecilia, who didn't grasp the situation, was looking back and forth between Arwen and Beatrice with innocent eyes.

"Are you… Gunther von Haruen's sister?"

"...How do you know that?"

Beatrice's short response was filled with many changes in her feelings.

To be honest, she wasn't approaching them with the intention of knowing their status or fame. She had simply thought it would be nice to have tea with the two girls she encountered by chance on the street.

"My contracted spirits told me."

With that statement, Beatrice's face was drenched in sadness.

In the end, no matter what her intentions were, this situation was the worst.

"W-wait, does that mean this person is Veris's fiancée?"

"I'll explain."

Ultimately, Beatrice decided to lay everything bare.

In fact, she had never experienced such things at the Magic Tower. But strangely, from the moment she arrived at the academy, she felt herself becoming oddly emotional.

The agitation she was currently feeling was certainly very different from her usual self.

"I am… as you heard, Beatrice von Haruen. The daughter of the Haruen

Marquis family and a mage affiliated with the Magic Tower."

Perhaps because she had revealed something they already knew? Arwen and Cecilia quietly listened to her words while holding their tea.

"The purpose of coming to the academy is simple. I'm responsible for the recovery and transport of the artifact, the Stone of Truth."

"The Stone of Truth…."

"...That's truly astonishing."

The two girls, who had already witnessed the power of that artifact, awkwardly nodded. It was likely that the girl standing before them was searching for the whereabouts of that artifact.

However, they were trying their best not to show it, as they had already experienced many things at the academy.

Moreover… this matter was directly related to Veris, so they were being cautious.

"I had no intention of deceiving you. I heard from Gunther that you two are close to Veris… so I thought there was no need to reveal it."

At Beatrice's confession, Arwen and Cecilia slowly nodded.

It wasn't exactly a wrong statement. If she had claimed from the beginning that she was Veris's fiancée, it would have drawn unfavorable glances.

"So…"

"Yes?"

"How do you feel about Veris?"

A direct question came flying without measuring the distance. Beatrice felt her mind going blank.

No matter how cold Beatrice's personality was, she already knew that these two girls held a deep affection for Veris.

That aside, it was surprising that a Saintess would ask so directly.

"I…"

Swallowing hard.

As she subtly glanced around, she could see Cecilia, who had just spoken, and Arwen, who was patiently waiting, looking at her with tense expressions.

"I don't… like him."

In the end, Beatrice calmly spat out that fact.

No, to begin with, she was quite far from liking or disliking him.

It was merely a fleeting encounter from her childhood, a night spent together. If there were no strong opposition from her family, she wouldn't have felt the need to marry him, and she had even considered breaking off the political engagement.

"Is that true?"

"...?"

But the unexpected voice came from the elf girl, who had been quietly observing the situation.

What she held now was neither jealousy nor suspicion.

This was clearly a question.

"It's quite strange. I may not have lived a long life, but I know that human feelings aren't something to be judged so easily."

"...."

Cecilia and even Beatrice listened attentively to Arwen's words.

Serious Arwen. This expression on Arwen was an awkward sight for Cecilia.

"It may sound ridiculous coming from me… but Veris doesn't reject the bonds that come to him."

"Arwen?"

"So, trying to escape from a political marriage in rebellion in the past isn't necessarily a bad thing, even if it happens later."

"...."

Cecilia bit her lip at Arwen's straightforward response.

Who was it that had made a fuss about the possibility of Veris having another woman when they left the mansion? And now?

She turned to look at the girl with black hair. The delicate girl's appearance was certainly a sad sight for someone who could be called the Empire's great archmage.

"I was… thinking of meeting him too. Gunther said he would arrange a meeting… that's all…"

Beatrice's slightly trembling voice made the two girls silently gaze at her.

But this time, their looks were filled with sympathy rather than the previous wariness.

In fact, even the recently appeared Princess Maria was undoubtedly a formidable opponent, enough to make Cecilia and Arwen tense up. Who would like to see their man surrounded by other women?

Yet, this girl… looked like she was in pain. A lot of pain.

[TL: If you can't wait on updates and want to read more, please support me to read the whole novel here: https://buymeacoffee.com/mythictranslations.]