Chapter 59

59

Crackling-.

However, even though the Grand Knight Commander's hand did not reach near the crown, the relic stubbornly refused.

The Grand Knight Commander obediently withdrew his arm. Since it was clear that he was not the relic's master, there was no need to try to grasp it.

"Usually, if a relic doesn't choose a master, it will end up in anyone's hands. This is strange."

The emperor said, puzzled.

Normally, as soon as it is thought that there is no master, the relic removes its protective barrier and falls into human hands. Then it seals itself until it finds a master.

While such cases were not common, they were not unheard of.

"I have never heard of such an incident."

"Me neither."

In response to the emperor's words, Sharent Clow and the Grand Knight Commander nodded.

Sharent Clow seemed to be searching his memory, but could not come up with a proper answer.

"What happens in such a case?"

"If the relic doesn't choose a master, the relic's protective barrier disappears, and the entrance to the ruins opens."

"But there's no sign of that happening."

In the first place, no one could properly hold the relic.

Among them, the relic's rejection was weakest against the emperor. Even if he tried a couple more times, the result was the same.

The rest couldn't even get close or touch the crown.

"Only your son and nephew are left."

At the emperor's words, Sharent Clow turned his head as if recalling a forgotten presence.

He looked down at me, who was sitting on the floor, legs stretched out, and tapping my fists on the ground, with a bewildered gaze.

What, what! Why!

Of course, I hardly walk, but my legs hurt, you know.

Standing for about 20-30 minutes is a terrible pain for me. It already feels like my legs are on fire.

"It could be because all the explorers were rejected."

"They are children."

"My daughter was a child too."

Sharent Clow fell silent.

'...Is the princess the master of the relic that the imperial city has been holding?'

This is truly astonishing. For such a young child to be the master of a relic.

Until now, the imperial city had widely announced that the relic in its possession had not found a master.

I, too, had believed that.

But it seems the relic had already found its master.

For this reason, I understand why the emperor had been keeping it a secret.

In fact, the child seemed very pure, except for being a bit reckless and annoying.

'Not letting the child bear the weight of the relic was a good decision.'

Even if it is a holy relic, the master of a relic is inevitably involved in troublesome affairs.

Moreover, there were two ways to obtain a relic.

First, to explore the ruins and obtain it.

Second, to kill the master of the relic.

Once a relic chooses a master, it can be taken away.

If the master of the relic is killed, the next master is chosen, and ownership of the relic is transferred.

One hypothesis was that the value of the relic justified the risk of killing its master.

'Of course, I find it absurd.'

"If sparks fly, just let go immediately. It won't be dangerous."

The emperor's words had a point.

The ruins where the holy relic was located only allowed everyone to touch the relic after they had all been rejected once.

After hearing the emperor's words, Sharent Clow glanced between me and Kai Shan.

What are you thinking about now?

I can test it first to see if it's dangerous.

For the sake of Sharent Clou, who loves his son deeply, I'll make the sacrifice.

Sigh, being an illegitimate child is so hard.

"I'll go first..."

"Kai Shan, come here. Try to grab that crown first."

Just as I was about to get up and brush off the sand, Sharent Clow pointed to Kai Shan.

Surprised by the unexpected words, I raised my head and widened my eyes.

Sharent Clow looked at me for a moment before picking up Kai Shan and standing up.

What, why? That's not like you. You're not that kind of person.

Kai Shan hesitantly reached out his hand toward the crown.

Crack, a small spark flew.

Sharent Clow pulled Kai Shan back.

He then approached me.

Holding me in his arms, he approached the crown. I stretched out my hand vigorously.

Sharent Clow's eyebrows furrowed slightly.

"If it stings, you must let go immediately."

Yes, I understand.

Nodding half-heartedly, Sharent Clow approached the crown. He reached out his hand toward it.

'I want to go home quickly.'

As I reached out, the familiar sound of sparks flying did not occur.

'Huh?'

This isn't right.

The relic was getting closer. Finally, my fingertips touched the relic.

Still, no sparks flew.

I held the relic, which emitted a faint light.

There was no rejection. Only a blue light seeped into my body.

'Ah, damn it.'

This was a result that made me want to swear sincerely.

"Ah."

The emperor's voice, filled with regret, sent shivers down my spine.

Sharent Clow seemed to be at a loss for words. Of course, I was speechless too. The crown in my hand was dazzling.

"I thought it was extraordinary, but I didn't expect the relic to choose this child."

Why does the emperor's voice sound so cold?

'Is he going to kill me and steal the relic?'

What are the chances that Sharent Clow will sell me?

'Maybe for a mine or two.'

There's nothing more terrifying than that.

I don't know how much a human's value has risen.

How much is the illegitimate child of a powerful duke worth? It won't be easy to refuse whatever the emperor offers.

Still, since I have the relic now, I might not be so easily defeated.

I looked at Sharent Clow's face with a tense expression.

At that moment, my hand moved on its own.

'Huh...?'

The will of the relic was moving my body.

When I came to my senses, I was wearing the crown on my head.

"Sherina!"

Sharent Clow called out to me.

As soon as I put on the crown, my head felt like it was burning white.

My whole body felt like it was on fire, and my neck was unbearably heavy.

"Ugh..."

Sharent Clow frowned slightly, sensing my heat.

Judging from the groan he let out, it must have been very hot. It even looked like steam was rising from my body.

The Grand Knight Commander approached and grabbed Sharent Clow's wrist.

Sharent Clow's expression hardened instantly.

"Sit the child on the throne."

"What do you mean?"

"The crown was placed on the throne."

With just that explanation, Sharent Clow moved immediately.

My vision was blurry due to the heat.

The cold throne felt refreshing against my body.

'Can a baby survive this much heat?'

Anyone can see that this is abnormal.

It's not normal for steam to rise from a body. It wouldn't be strange if I were already dead.

Boom!

The entrance we came through closed.

"Sherina, snap out of it."

"Hmm..."

"Sherina!"

Sharent Clow pulled me into his arms.

He patted my trembling body and kept whispering that I was okay.

Just as I was about to say it wasn't funny, my mouth opened on its own.

"Guard the circle."

Ancient language flowed from my lips.

What, I didn't say anything.

My lips moved on their own.

Sharent Clow's eyebrows furrowed, wondering if he understood the ancient language.

"Sherina?"

"Understand the circle that balances the weight of the circle and reveal it."

If you're going to move my body, at least pronounce it properly!

What's the point of setting such a serious atmosphere if it's not even funny!

The short-tongued pronunciation was apparently beyond even the powerful ancient magic.

What is this in such a serious atmosphere?