Chapter 15

"What's an artifact...?"

It was a word I had never heard before.

"It's something called the Dragon's Treasure."

It was Emma who answered.

"Dragon's Treasure?"

"Yes. A long, long time ago, Dragon King N.M. created these treasures with the power of the chief god Romancier for the dragons."

"Such things exist?"

"I'm seeing one for the first time too."

"Me too."

"Uh-huh..."

Just as I was about to nod in understanding, I felt a sense of unease.

Emma, who answered first, and then Louise and Colette, all said they were seeing it for the first time.

"If everyone is seeing it for the first time, how do you know this is an artifact?"

"We can tell... instinctively."

Emma answered with a serious face and a tone of utmost sincerity. Louise and Colette only nodded slightly.

"Instinctively, huh?"

I stared at the ring I was holding. I didn't feel anything special about it.

To me, it was just a ring.

But if the three of them could tell it was an artifact by instinct, this must be an incredible treasure.

"Then... here."

I said and held out the ring to the three of them.

Louise, Colette, and Emma all looked at me with surprised faces.

"What do you mean, 'here,' Master?"

"Well, this is the dragons' treasure, right? So, you should be the ones to keep it, right?"

"Um, well... I guess so?"

"Hmm, maybe Colette should keep it. You can put it in your stomach."

"Wh-What!?"

Colette let out a shrill cry.

"No way! Putting an artifact in your stomach will bring bad luck."

"Is that so?"

"Sir Cyril, we can't possibly keep it. It's too sacred for us."

Emma said, and Louise and Colette nodded in agreement. Usually, the more free-spirited Louise and Colette were both showing signs of reverence. It must be a big deal.

"Alright, then I'll keep it carefully."

When I said that, the three of them visibly relaxed.

"But, what kind of treasure is this? To me, it just looks like a regular ring."

...

I thought for a moment and decided to put it on. I was a bit scared, but my curiosity was piqued.

I put on the artifact—the ring. It fit my index finger, so I put it there.

I stared at my right index finger with the ring on it. I rotated my wrist a few times to see if there were any changes.

"How is it?"

"Did anything change?"

The dragons asked me, more apprehensive than I was.

"No, nothing really changed."

I answered while still staring at the ring. I put it on, but so far, nothing had changed.

Maybe it's not meant to be worn on the hand...

"Huh?"

I looked up, surprised.

"What's wrong?"

"That..."

"That?"

When I pointed, Emma looked around at herself, then at Louise and Colette. Louise and Colette did the same. They looked at each other, puzzled, because they didn't see what I was pointing at.

That means... they can't see it.

I took off the ring, and it disappeared.

I put it on again, and it reappeared.

"What's going on? Explain it clearly."

Colette said, a bit irritated. I replied to her.

"Colette, are you feeling unwell today?"

"Huh? No, I'm fine."

Colette was slightly flustered but denied it stubbornly.

"Really? But the artifact is saying otherwise."

"The artifact?"

"Yeah. There are two bars above your heads."

When I said that, the three of them looked at each other's heads.

"There's nothing there."

"You're being silly, that's why it's an artifact."

Louise pointed out to Colette.

"Ugh, I know that."

Colette was at a loss for words. Normally, she would have retorted, but the mention of the artifact made her hesitate.

I looked at the two bars more closely. As I wore the artifact and observed, I gradually understood. The two bars represented their physical and mental health.

Colette's physical bar was about half full.

"You're tired, Colette."

"That... that's..."

"I see. Thinking about it, you've been working alone recently. No wonder you're tired."

"It's not a big deal."

"You don't have to push yourself. Take a rest today."

"But I'm fine—"

"I think this artifact came to me to prevent you from overworking."

I took out the artifact again, and Colette fell silent once more.

"Don't overwork yourself. Take a rest."

"Hmph. Fine, I'll rest if you say so."

Colette reluctantly accepted my suggestion. I looked at the ring and the three bars.

This is the best item.

With this, I can prevent the dragons from overworking.

As a Dragon-First, I strongly believed I had obtained the best item.