RMA 19

chapter 19

Loria couldn’t focus on her magic studies and set her pen down.

She was simply too curious to hold it in any longer.

“Just what are you hiding?”

From the very moment they entered the Grand Duke’s fortress, Lawrence had chatted casually with none other than Grand Duke Lancel, the man known as the King of the North.

And what about that swordsmanship?

Her younger brother, who surely had never even held a sword before, was suddenly wielding one like a skilled knight.

He couldn’t use aura yet, but his swordsmanship was already on par with that of a squire knight.

She couldn’t stand not knowing.

He claimed it was some kind of innate ability, but could that really be true?

And then, there were those strange, weighty things he sometimes said, each one stabbing at her chest.

She had to hear it from him directly.

“Enough. I’ll just ask him myself.”

Unless she asked and got it out of her system, she felt she wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight.

Otherwise, she might spend the whole night wide awake and end up dozing off at tomorrow’s strategy meeting.

She couldn’t embarrass herself like that. She’d use her position as his elder sister as an excuse.

Loria carefully opened her door and headed toward Lawrence’s room.

On tiptoe, she crept down the hall.

But right in front of Lawrence’s door, she spotted the Grand Duke himself, along with a few others, speaking with him.

They hadn’t noticed her yet. Loria quickly ducked behind a corner. It was pure instinct.

“Your Grace, even if he is a direct descendant of Montemer, he has not formally studied divine magic.”

“That’s right. Please reconsider. If you’re not careful, he could be branded a heretic.”

“Silence. Return to your rooms at once.”

“But, Your Grace…”

They continued to fawn over the Grand Duke, twisting their words like snakes, all the while belittling Lawrence.

Loria clenched her fists, furious, but couldn’t step forward.

Then the Grand Duke’s stern voice rang out again.

“Must I repeat myself?”

“N-no, Your Grace. We’ll take our leave.”

“On the battlefield, you’ll tend the wounded without rest as well, won’t you? I expect as much.”

“……”

They lowered their heads and retreated, unable to argue.

The Grand Duke chuckled bitterly and shook his head.

“Those kinds of people dare call themselves servants of the Goddess…”

“……”

“You there, young lady. Come out now. Didn’t you come because you had something to say?”

“Ah—”

Startled, Loria stepped out awkwardly from her hiding spot.

The Grand Duke smiled at her kindly.

Gaudi’s children were trained as knights and so had unusually strong builds.

But the daughter of Montemer was a mage—she carried a different, almost endearing charm.

“And what brings you here? Ah, you’re his older sister, aren’t you?”

“Y-yes, that’s right. I had something I desperately wanted to ask…”

“Unfortunately, your brother is very busy. I told everyone not to disturb him. What should we do?”

“Then… could I just pass along my question? Otherwise I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep.”

He chuckled lightly.

Then he knocked on the very door he’d been guarding.

A moment later, Lawrence appeared, eyes shining with life.

“What’s going on? Ah, sis?”

“So it really is your sister. I’ll pretend I’m not here and let you talk. Of course, I’ll still stand guard—someone has to.”

“Ugh…”

Loria’s cheeks turned bright red.

The Grand Duke laughed softly and watched the siblings.

She asked Lawrence directly:

“What kind of ability do you have? Can’t you just tell me?”

“Nope.”

“……”

Lawrence smirked at her flustered expression.

In his previous life, he hadn’t realized it—but teasing his sister was oddly fun.

Then he added:

“Well, I could tell you, but only if you’re prepared for what comes with it. Are you?”

“Yes.”

Seeing her firm nod, Lawrence wondered—was this mere curiosity, or a life-defining resolve?

“Even if everything you’ve believed in up until now crumbles in an instant? Even if you end up seeing things filthy and vile?”

“I don’t care. I have to know, no matter what.”

She wanted to know what had happened in the annex.

Why he possessed such a power.

What would happen because of that power.

And why he kept trying to scare her with ominous warnings.

“Alright. I’m almost ready anyway, so wait just a little longer. Oh, Your Grace—could you also summon Lady Layla for me? Hah…”

“This brat, treating me like some errand boy. But fine. You did save my son—I can hardly refuse.”

“Eh? What?”

Loria couldn’t follow the conversation at all.

She had only come because she was curious, yet somehow it felt like she was being dragged into something far bigger. Was it just her imagination?

Lawrence gave her a sly smile.

“Sis, we’re allies now. We’re in the same boat.”

“……”

Loria stared blankly at the door as it shut.

#2

“Whew… that should do it.”

[You’ve made the right decision.]

“Your advice helped.”

[As the safeguard of the Dragon Lord, I am always watching over the Artifactor. If ever you need the wisdom of the Lords, call upon us.]

“Thanks.”

Muttering to himself, Lawrence looked at the completed artifact.

The first was the Black Dragon’s Chalice.

[Artifact: Black Dragon’s Chalice]

• Authority: The Black Dragon’s Lair

• The tributes given to him by the lowly could build mountains upon mountains; his authority is an endless abyss.

• Implantation State: Possible

A massive inventory space—exactly what Lawrence needed.

The second was an artifact meant to heal Lake Gaudi.

[Artifact: Broken Replica Chalice]

• Inscription: Divine Blessing

• This artifact is single-use.

• Created for implantation in another person. Disappears after its effect is used.

“To win over others and make them comrades… that’s a bit different from the Dragon I knew.”

[That was the only regret the Dragon Lord ever confessed. Believing one could do everything alone—that, he said, was the root of all distortions.]

“So in other words, hiding things is meaningless, huh.”

[Not meaningless, but rather—it means nothing in creation can be solved alone.]

Lawrence nodded slightly.

He might feel like he had come this far alone, but the truth was, he had only returned to life thanks to someone’s help.

People.

People were the greatest asset, and also the greatest threat.

The Gaudi family, Loria—they could be trusted. They could be comrades.

[From the Dragon Lord’s knowledge, they will never betray the Artifactor.]

He didn’t know if that was truly certain, but even the remnant of the Lord said so.

In his previous life, no one had ever helped him.

This time had to be different.

“Alright. Let’s go.”

This was the very purpose of preparing for this subjugation.

Six months of preparation had led to this moment.

Crackle—

The chalice drank in the runes of the magic circle and melted into Lawrence’s body.

His head felt like it would burst, a flood of vast knowledge tearing through his mind.

“Kh—!”

[You must endure.]

He clenched his eyes shut.

They said the human brain contained a universe.

Even as the endless knowledge of a dragon poured in, his mind held its shape.

What effect could a speck of dust have on the cosmos?

“Fuuuh…”

[Authority manifestation available.]
[Dragon Body has grown.]
[Hatchling: 33%]
[Surpassed 30%.]
[Number of implantable artifacts increased.]
[Maximum artifact circle increased.]

Crackle—

Authority was will.

With his will, Lawrence opened the inventory—the Black Dragon’s Lair.

“Hah, so this is how it works.”

It was like staring into an abyss.

An infinite storage for weapons and offerings.

He emptied his backpack, tossing in all the artifact materials and prepared items, then closed it.

No need to lug a heavy pack anymore.

“Alright, all set. Let’s go heal him.”

Holding the implant artifact, Lawrence opened the door.

Three people were already waiting.

He grinned.

“Shall we? Let’s go cure your son.”

#3

Lake lay in bed, wheezing heavily in his sleep.

Layla and Grand Duke Lancel stood over him with pained expressions.

Lawrence drew out the artifact he had prepared.

Loria asked cautiously, unable to believe that her little brother could succeed where the priests had failed.

“But… are you sure you can cure what even the priests couldn’t?”

“I told you already—just watch. Didn’t you want to know my ability? I’ll show you now.”

“……”

At his words, Loria fell silent.

Layla crossed her arms, fingers twitching nervously, but said nothing.

The Grand Duke also remained silent, watching intently.

Lawrence steadied himself with a deep breath and began the procedure.

It wasn’t even complicated.

All I have to do is draw out the curse and implant the holy blessing.

The real reason he had delayed was for his own growth, nothing more.

Better that he absorb it himself, after all.

But now came the important part—not the cure, but the revelation.

He spoke plainly.

“My ability is to craft artifacts. I alone can create and use them.”

Crackle—!

The artifact in his hand blazed with light.

In an instant, it vanished into Lake’s chest.

Everyone’s eyes widened, struck dumb by the unbelievable sight.

The Grand Duke had heard of it before—rare individuals said to wield [Authority].

They had all become legends in the world.

“…Incredible…”

“……”

“Now, I’ll extract the curse.”

[Divine Blessing manifests.]
[Suppressing Lake Gaudi’s curse.]
[Draw out the venomous energy through detoxification or negative energy.]

Here goes.

He had cleared plenty of space for it.

Lawrence drew out all the negative energy clinging to Lake’s body, devouring it whole.

The foul energy was consumed greedily.

Lake’s complexion brightened before their eyes, his breathing deepening and steadying.

Even Layla, the Grand Duke, and magic-ignorant Loria could see it.

Lake’s condition was improving dramatically.

“Mmm…”

“Lake! You’re awake?”

At last, after so long, Lake’s eyes fluttered open.

The Grand Duke and Layla rushed to his side, checking him over.

Loria stared at her brother, stunned.

Ordinary humans couldn’t do this. That was why it was called Authority.

It wasn’t something gained through training or effort—it was an awakening.

“You…”

“I told you, didn’t I? You need more than casual resolve for this.”

Loria finally understood.

She had stepped onto a path she could never turn back from.

She really was in the same boat as Lawrence now.

And oddly… it felt less like she had chosen it, and more like she’d been kidnapped.