/
The request was unexpected for Emperor Alderuan, but it wasn’t so strange that she asked for it.
This was because, just in case she had gotten too scared from what happened yesterday, it was explained to her that the purpose of the criminal wasn’t to kidnap her, but to steal something in the treasure room.
That’s why it was natural that the child would become interested in the treasure room.
“Here it is, Siervy.”
“Wow…”
As they went further inside compared to yesterday when the thief was caught, Siervian saw the magnificent dome-like structure.
There was a white corridor in front that was connected to this place. Pillars engraved with colorful engravings lined up at the sides, and between the pillars, the unusually bright sunlight seeped through.
At one glance, this place seemed to be just a small and simple prayer room.
‘It’s the first time I’ve come this close to the treasure room.’
Walking down the hallway next to her father, Siervian couldn’t hide her curiosity.
This was because, unexpectedly, the treasure room wasn’t all that big. Especially because she was still just the size of a child now, and she still thought the room wasn’t that big.
“You must be thinking that the treasure room is smaller than you thought.”
“Yees.”
Siervian looked up as she heard her father speak. His voice sounded amazing with the acoustics in this place.
“You’ll be more surprised when you go in.”
[ Alderuan Erveldote ]
Thoughts: I hope Siervy can remember this until long into the future.
There was an unusual sense of excitement in his words. Thanks to this, Siervian couldn’t control her pounding heart.
They soon approached a small white door. It looked like only one person could go through it.
There was a pattern of two blue wolves facing each on the door, and this was the symbol of the imperial family.
“Blue wolfy…”
“That’s right. It’s the symbol of our imperial family.”
With her father’s statement full of pride, Siervian carefully examined the symbol.
As she looked at it for a long time, the wolves suddenly seemed to move as though they were alive.
“Uwah…”
[ Alderuan Erveldote ]
Thoughts: Did it startle you? The wolf engravings seem to have amazed you.
She thought it had something to do with magic, but her father’s reaction was a bit strange.
Before she could express her doubt, the emperor reached out to the door.
This treasure room responds to the mana that’s unique to the imperial family. Once you learn how to wield magic later, you can come here alone, Siervy.”
“Yees…”
It’s sad, but that won’t be happening in the future.
That’s why Siervian was more excited about exploring the treasure room now. This might be the last time she’s allowed here.
“Then, let’s go in now.”
A group of bright lights leaked out of Alderuan’s fingertips.
When he infused the door with his pure mana, the wolf engravings glowed. As though it hadn’t been tightly closed just now, the entrance swung wide open.
“Wah…”
As soon as the door opened, Siervian doubted her own eyes.
Obviously, the dome looked so small from the outside and she knew that she could have explored the entire place with just a few steps. However, the interior that she could see through the open door was so outstandingly vast.
“You can’t leave my side today because it’s dangerous, Siervy. Even though it doesn’t look like that.”
“Why?”
“There’s a magic spell in place. If an unauthorized person comes in, they’ll get lost. Once you’re a little older, you can use your own mana to get out of the spell, but it’s better to be careful for now.”
She already expected that there would be a security spell in place, but she suddenly got scared. Even so, she had no plans of leaving her father’s side anyway, so she was more determined.
Siervian made an effort to straighten her posture, then she nodded.
“Sebi is gonna be caweful.”
[ Favorability: +100 ]
[ Favorability: +100 ]
[ Favorability: +100 ]
[ Favorability: +100 ]
[ Favorability: +100 ]
[ Favorability: +100 ]
At that moment, so many status windows suddenly popped up in front of her eyes.
When she looked around in amazement, her little hand unconsciously tightened over her father’s.
“Hm. You look scared. Don’t worry.”
“Okay.”
What a weird reaction. She definitely showed her determination!
However as Siervian’s hand was in his already anyway, she decided to let it slide. It made her feel relieved just holding his hand.
This was all because her young body was moving on its own, really.
“There’s a space expansion spell inside the treasure room. However, that type of spell is now considered a forgotten magic.”
“Ah…”
With her eyes sparkling, Siervian entered.
The treasure room, where all kinds of rare items were neatly displayed, was beyond her imagination.
Most of the information about the treasure room was kept hidden and thoroughly veiled, so this was all a brand new adventure for her.
“Over here are some of the first emperor’s things.”
“Uwah!”
[ Alderuan Erveldote ]
Thoughts: I have a hunch that this must be what the thief was aiming for. The first emperor’s personal items would be treated as extremely rare treasures wherever you go.
Siervian was also aware that the captured thief had died, so it was impossible to know what exactly it was that he tried to steal.
Just as she expected, she confirmed through looking at a lot of people’s status windows that the treasure room really was the thief’s agenda.
She looked around to see the treasures, and when she turned back and saw the emperor’s new speculative thoughts, her curiosity was revived once more.
[ Alderuan Erveldote ]
Thoughts: I wonder what it is. Maybe it’s the most expensive mana stone of ice.
As Siervian read his thoughts, she inwardly shook her head. Then, she looked at one particular corner on the side.
‘It’s that one.’
The first emperor’s staff.
That was what the thief was aiming for.
Just before he passed out due to the crown prince’s magic attack, Siervian managed to get a glimpse of the thief’s real purpose.
“What’s thaaat?”
As though something caught her eye for no reason, Siervian casually asked. Then, she raised the hand that wasn’t being held by her father, then pointed her small finger.
“Hm? That’s the staff that the first emperor used. It holds a great meaning, but its magical value is not that great. I believe he only used it while he was an apprentice?”
“Oohh…”
The more she listened to his explanation, the more suspicious she became of it.
No matter how valuable the first emperor’s personal effects were, why would a thief break into the imperial treasure room and get that of all things?
[ Alderuan Erveldote ]
Thoughts: Come to think of it, it’s also questionable how that criminal planned to enter this place. Maybe he doesn’t know that only the imperial family can enter this room without any problems.
Since the thief had been caught before he could do something, her father seemed to think that it was a simple incident.
However, because she knew about which object was about to be stolen and due to her memories of the previous life, Siervian’s questions only piled up even more.
‘How did the thief in my previous life get out of this place when he was supposed to have gotten lost?’
Alderuan took another step forward and casually explained to Siervian more about the first emperor’s items.
The small warmth that he could feel in his palm couldn’t be any more precious. Seeing his daughter look all over the place with such sparkling eyes, Alderuan felt prouder.
“We’ve collected many ordinary gems here as well. For example, there are some of the imperial family’s personal belongings.”
They were only walking forward, but the hallway seemed to continue endlessly. If this was a normal space, they would have been near the southern entrance by now.
And if her father hadn’t explained at first, she would have thought that she was wandering through hallucinatory magic.
‘The candelabra…! That’s the secret passage!’
At some point, decorative candelabras that didn’t provide any illumination appeared.
Instead, the places where fire should have been lit glowed with subtle magical spheres of light.
Then, at the end of the hall was a candelabra right in the middle of the wall.
‘I think it’s this one.’
The candelabra didn’t look all too different from the others.
However, because of the bright illumination around them, Siervian could see a distinct engraving underneath it.
‘There’s a pattern… Sephinel?’
The flower’s purple petals made it apparent that it was the sephinel flower, and there was a legend that it’s the flower where the Mana Fairy lives. Siervian could only see it now because of how small she was.
“Now, this is the end of the treasure room. Do you want to explore more?”
“Nooo…”
[ Favorability: +100 ]
She got exhausted quickly because she had listened to his various explanations all throughout the tour of the room.
Unconsciously letting out a whining sound, Siervian tugged on her father’s hand, which she was still holding all this time.
“Okay, let’s go back and rest now.”
Thinking that she was adorable, Alderuan carefully carried Siervian. The way she was blinking slowly expressed how tired she was.
“Don’t worry about the way out.
Just as her father reassured, the exit was shown in an instant. With her in his arms, he turned around the way they came—and right there, the door they had gone through in the beginning suddenly appeared.
“Ah!”
It was the same door with the blue wolf engravings.
All it took was one step, and they were able to leave the treasure room right away. They walked around for such a long time before, but this was really amazing.
“You can sleep if you want to, Siervy.”
“Mmmhh.”
She was already in her father’s embrace, but she should make him carry her more. So, she tried to stay awake somehow, but instead, she just buried her face on her father’s shoulder comfortably.
As she slowly slipped into slumber, Siervian thought about her questions one by one.
What was at the end of the secret passage?
Why did the thief have to steal that one in particular?
And the person who hired him to do it… Who was it?
* * *
After the birthday party, her peaceful daily life returned.
Siervian never felt happier. This was because she was proud of the fact that her knowledge of the future helped her family.
‘I want to continue helping.’
She had yet to reveal that she knew what the thief originally came to steal or the secret passage he had planned to use for his escape. But, Siervian decided to take it slow.
At this rate, maybe her end wouldn’t be through the same death penalty.
If she can continue doing well, she might be able to stay with her family and be happy!
‘I need to stay strong.’
Clenching her hands secretly, Siervian made a silent vow.
She didn’t even know that Jane was trying to stop herself from chuckling because she saw the princess’ cute expression.
“Now then, Princess. Here is the updated property list of the Princess’ Palace.”
“Mmmh, Sebi doesn’t know…”
While reacting like a child would, she secretly read the property list.
And, soon after she scanned through the items written there, her eyes became as wide as saucers.